go into Gallilee and there they shall see me 10. N. 1. He would not shew himself so openly to the malicious forsaken people at Jerusalem 2. His disciples and kinsmen are called his Brethren 3. No one evangelist mentioneth the whole of this History but what one omitteth another hath of which after 11. Now when they were going Behold some of the watch came into the city and shewed to the chief priests all the things that were done 12. And when they were assembled with the Elders and had taken counsel they gave large money to the soldiers 13. Saying say ye His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept 14. And if this come to the governours ears we will perswade him and secure you 11. N. What will convince hardned forsaken men 15. So they took the money and did as they were taught And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews to this day 15. N. 1. Lying is the Devils great meanes against Faith And the love of money is the meanes that subserveth it 2. They that will not believe the truth easily believe deceiving lies 16. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them 17. And when they saw him they worshipped him but some doubted 17. N. Tho the evangelists say no more of Christs meeting them on this Mountain and what he there said to them and Luke and John say nothing of it and there seem a strange difference in their Narratives of Christs appearances it is but one saying what another had omitted and no one of them saying all of which after on John 20. and 21. 18. And Jesus came and spake to them saying All power is given to me in heaven and on Earth 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 18. After these and other appearings to them Jesus said As I have dyed to redeem the World in order to the ends of my undertaking the Father hath given me an Universal Propiety and Governing power by the right to Redemption as chief Administrator under him in Heaven and Earth So that henceforth all the concerns of men in this World and the other are at my dispose and all men under my Government by Right and Obligation By which authority I now commission you to go abroad the World and make all Nations to the utmost of your power my Disciples taking them into my Church by Solemn Covenant celebrated by Baptizing them into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost N. 1. Christs Right of Dominion and Empire is founded in the Fathers Covenant with him as redeemer 2. And being Vniversal Lord Redemption is so far universal as to prove these and other common effects Rom. 14.9 To this end Christ dyed rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living 2. The word translated Teach signifieth Disciple to me or make Nations my Disciples 3. All Christians should endeavour to make Christianity the National Religion that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ that is that they be Christian Kingdoms and not only Christians gathered out of Kingdoms 4. This maketh not all to be Christians who are in those Kingdoms but only such as are Discipled 5. Infants being parts of all Kingdoms this text commandeth to Disciple and Baptize them they are made Disciples by being justly dedicated to Christ by those that have true Power to dispose of them to learn of him and obey him as they grow up and are Capable As Christ was relatively Head of the Church in his Infancy when his humane nature was uncapable of the actual administration so are Infants capable of being Disciples by Covenant Dedication by those that have the dispose of them for their good and can covenant for them which men and by Relation and Obligation God had never a Church on Earth of which Infants were not Infant-members since there were Infants in the World 6. To be baptized into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost is no less than by solemn Covenant to give up ones self to God the Father as our Father reconciled by Christ our chief owner and rules and our chief Benefactor even as our God and to Christ as our Saviour and the Holy Ghost as our Sanctifier And meerly to consent to learn of Christ makes none a baptizable disciple 7. Baptism is Christening and is the badge of those that must love and take each other for Christians and the terms of Church Unity till it be nullified by verbal or actual apostacy And it is Church tyranny and Schism to make Canons which shall exclude those from the Church of Christ whom he taketh in by baptism before they impenitently nullify that Covenant in whole or in some essential part viz. by proved denying essentials of Faith or forsaking some essential part of obedience 8. Baptism making us Christians is our state of Regeneration by which we may know our right to Justification and Salvation that is He that consenteth heartily and unfeignedly to the Baptismal Covenant is Regenerate and justified and shall be saved And he that doth consent but with the mouth and outward signe or leaveth out some essential part in his heart consent is regenerate only sacramentally and a visible member of the Church but is not justified nor shall be saved 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and â—o I am with you alway to the end of the World 20. And when you have Baptized them and so united them to me and my universal Church upon their understanding professed faith and repentance and dedication of their seed to me then congregate them in order under faithful Pastors And as you as general Teachers to all the Churches must deliver to them all the commands which I have committed to your trust by word and writing so these Pastors must further instruct them that they may grow up in knowledge of all these my commands And in the performance of this charge I shall by the help of my Spirit and protection be present with you and such pastors in their course to the end of this World or age till I shall come in glory to the final judgment Tho you see me not I shall be as really assisting to you and regardful of you even in all your labours and sufferings as if you saw me Note 1. This general command of teaching all Nations Christs commands includeth writing the Scriptures without which they could not teach posterity in all Nations his commands 2. It maketh them his intrusted Apostles from whose fidelity we may believingly receive his commands And therefore implyeth the promise of his Spirit to make them true and credible reporters 3. It implyeth that his commands are the universal Laws for his Catholick Church And no man or men have authority
days 30. How came the People to go about Jericho seven days and the Walls to fall but because they believed and trusted the Promises of Almighty God 31. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not when she had received the spies with peace 31. How came Rahab who was formerly a Heathen Harlot and then kept an Inn or House of Entertainment to scape when Jericho was destroyed but because she believed that the God of Israel was the true God and would deliver them that trust him 32. And what shall I more say for the time will fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Sampson and of Jephtha of David also and Samuel and of the prophets 33. Who through faith subdued Kingdoms wrought righteousness obtained promises stopped the mouths of lions 32 33. By believing and trusting God for unseen future things some conquered the Nations of their Enemies as Joshua the Judges David c. the truly faithful lived righteously in a sinful World obtained what God had conditionally promised and promises of yet further mercies for their fidelity as Abraham Phineas c. and God stopped the mouths of Lions to deliver them as he did by Daniel 34. Quenched the violence of fire escaped the edge of the sword out of weakness were made strong waxed valiant in fight turned to flight the armies of the aliens 35. Women received their dead raised to life again and others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection 34 35. God made the fire harmless to them as Dan. 3. Divers scaped the Sword of bloody Persecutors as David c. recovered from Sickness as Job Hezâ—kiah c. fought valiantly trusting on God for Victory and so overcame Had their Dead raised as 1 King 17.21 2 King 4. Others endured Torment and would not sin to be delivered believing and hoping for Resurrection to a better Life as 2 Maccab. 19.30 and 7.9 36. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment 37. They were stoned they were sawn asuder were tempted were slain with the sword they wandred about in sheep skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented 36 37 And by believing the promised unseen Reward others endured the Tryal of cruel Mockings and scornful Reproach and to be whipt as Rogues and bound and laid in Gaols as Malefactors some were stoned some sawn asunder others tryed by hot Irons and other fiery torments some slain with the Sword others like contemned Vagabonds wandred in base Cloathing of Sheep-skins and Goat-skins destitute of outward things afflâ—cted and tormented 38. Of whom the world was not worthy they wandred in deserts and in mountains and in dens and caves of the earth 38. All these were accounted and used as bad men unworthy to live as others peaceably in the World But were they such indeed No but such of whom the World was not worthy And many of them retired from the Converse of the World into Dens Caves and Mountains Note Oh the difference between God's Judgment of a Saint and Man's The World is not worthy of those scorned persecuted Saints whom their Persecutors call Rogues unworthy to live They are not worthy of their Company Example Counsel or other benefits For they know not what a Saint is nor the worth of a Saint nor how to use him yea they hate him and drive such away as they do the Offers of Christ and Grace 39. And these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise 40. God having provided some better thing for us that they without us should not be made perfect 39 40. And all these true Believers were justified by God's own Testimony left on Record to their praise But still it was things unseen and future which they believed and for which they suffered all this Martyrdom and pain And though God gave them their Reward in Heaven they lived not to see the Incarnate Saviour and the Kingdom of the Messiah the Catholick Church advanced by the pourings out of the Spirit of Christ which were the promised Blessings which God had told them he would give in the fulness of time For God had provided these greater Blessings of the Kingdom of Christ in its more perfect state and the fulness of that Spirit for this Age of the World in which we live and would not let them in those former Ages before our time partake of this more perfect Church-state Even as we now believe Christ's Glorious Coming and wait and suffer Persecution of Hope and yet must not live on Earth to see it as the last Age will do but must dye first and be raised to enjoy that sight CHAP. XII 1. WHerefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us 1. Seeing then we that are now called out to Tryal have before us the Instances of all the Faithful that have been before us who have conquered all the impediments of their Salvation by the effectual Beleif of God's Promise of unseen things let us quit our selves like men and as Runners in a Race let us be so far from turning to the World as to cast off all worldly Incumbrances which would hinder us and to avoid all sin in which without great care we shall be entangled and let us run with patience and perseverance the Race in which by God and our Covenant we are engaged for it is for our Salvation 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God 2. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Leader of our Christian Faith and Course and the Perfecter of it who hath by his Doctrine and Example proposed it to us in that perfect form which he will own and crown who himself was moved by the future proposed Joy which was to be the Reward of all his Mediatorial Works for which he endured the pains of his Cross and Sufferings and despised the Shame and Reproach that attended it in comparison of the desired End which he hath now attained and is set down in Triumph and Glory next the Throne of God 3. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds 3. If you will well study Christ and consider how and why he endured such Opposition and Contradiction of wicked men who by sin falsly accused him of sin it will greatly strengthen you against weary Tiredness or fainting Cowardize 4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin 4. It is but little which you have yet been put to If you will be crowned you must be prepared
have their place and part in that publick Reign of Christ by his Christian Magistrates and Pastors and in the publick praises of the flourishing Christ much more they that shall see his Reign in the Kingdom of Glory 10. And I fell at his feet to worship him and he said unto me See thou do it not I am thy fellow-servant and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus worship God for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy 10. I thought that I owed so great honour to such a Messenger of so glad Tydings that I fell at his feet to worship him not with Divine Worship as God but as his Angel but he forbad it me and bid me worship God only and not Angels by such prostration For though we we may by prostration do worship to a Prince or Parent yet to do it to Angels that are invisible will be too like the Heathen sort of Worship and encourage those that offer Angels unwarrantable Worship I am a Servant of Christ and a fellow-servant to thee and thy Brethren the Prophets and your Office of publishing the Gospel and mine in this Prophecy are much like The Spirit of Prophecy by which you are Christ's Messengers and Witnesses is that Testimony of Jesus which you and I as fellow-servants are in our several capacities employed 11. And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse he that sat upon him was called faithful and true and in righteousness he doth judge and make war 11. Having spoken in general of the Fall of Babylon he now sheweth how Christ in its over throw will do execution on those his Enemies till he have rooted the out and how the Beast will struggle before he be quite destroyed and that not in Rome only 12. His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns and he had a name written that no man knew but he himself 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipt in blood and his Name is called The word of God 12 13. His flaming Eyes signifie his Glory and Omniscience and his many Crowns the many Kingdomâ— which he shall subdue and reign over What his unknown Name is we must not enquire His bloody Vesture signifieth his Victory over his Enemies purchased with his Churches deliverance by his own blood And his known Name is The Word of God 14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses clothed in fine linnen white and clean 14. And the Executioners of his justice on Babylon c. were represented to me by an Army of heavenly ones following him on white Horses and clothed in white c. 15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword that with it he shall smite the natitions and he shall rule them with a rod of iron and he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God 15. The word of his mouth is as a sharp Sword to overcome the Heathen World and all his Enemies by converting his chosen and denouncing his Judgments on the uncurable which he will execute and that presently by the Sword of his Warriors by whom he will crush the Rebels and on them he will execute God's Vindictive Justice 16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS 16. For besides the Word of God he hath another name on his thigh where the Sword is worn King of Kings c. For he will reign and all Kings and Lords are under him and he will subdue his Foes 17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun and he cryed with a loud voice saying to all the fowls that flie in the midst of heaven Come and gather your selves together unto the supper of the great God 18. That ye may eat the flesh of Kings and the flesh of captains and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of them that sit on them and the flesh of all men both free and bond both small and great 17 18. It cannot be expected that the whole Idolatrous Empire of Babylon be destroyed without War And he will conquer that is King of Kings and Lord of Lords And Commanders and Souldiers shall be a prey to the Fowls which was fulfilled on Maxentius Liâ—inius c. Others say this is destruction of the Popish Kings And others that it signifieth not their death but the Fall of Popery 19. And I saw the beast and the Kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse and against his army 20. And the beâ—st was taken and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had receiveâ— the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone 19 20. The Pagan emperours were conquered with them the Literate Seduâ—â—rs Senators Orators Poets Philosophers Augurs Aruspices Priests who by such Poetical Fable is as Ovid's Metamorphesis and by feigned Predictions Oracles and such pretended Miracles as Eunapius boasteth of by many of their Philosophers but especially by the power of their abused Learning called by Paul the Wisdom of the World which is foolishness with God and Science falsely so called who deceived the Princes and People into a high Opinion of their Idols and a contempt oâ— Christianity as foolishness The Imperial Power and the Learned Seducers were rooted out and as Sodom cast into utter destruction and judged to damnation Others say that the Beast here is the Pope and the false Prophet with him is himself also he being the Beast as Civil Ruler and the Prophet as Ecclesiastical But the Text plainly maketh them two Others say it is the Pope and his Clergy Jesuits Fryars c. 21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse which sword proceeded out of his mouth and all the fowls were filled with their flesh 21. The memory of their conquered Emperours and Philosophers Senators Poets c. is continued in History as Pilate's in the Creed to their perpetual shame and so they are said to be cast alive into the Lake But the multitudes of Souldiers and People that fought for them were slain and cast into Oblivion or some converted by the Word and some confounded Or as others the Papists are some converted and others for obstinacy condemned CHAP. XX. 1. ANd I saw an Angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand 2. And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent which is the devil Satan and bound him a thousand years 3. And cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled and after that he must be loosed
Christ be made the holy City or his Chief Royal Seat and there will be his Thousand years Reign on Eâ—rth Others take the Holy City to mean the Reformed Churches which shall again be assaulted by all sorts of Enemies before the day of Judgment And some take the Camp of the Saints and the Beloved City to be the seven Asian Churches to whom John wrote Whatever it be if it be past I understand not what or when it was if it be to come time must expound it In general it is sure that Enemies will oft assault the Church and God will defend it 10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever 10. When Christ hath delivered his Church from Pagan Cruelty the same Dragon or Devil will seek new Instruments to assault it from age to age and most notably at the last But he shall be conquered after all and be cast out into torment as the Pagan Powers and Deceivers were 11 And I saw a great white throne and him that sat on it from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away and there was found no place for them 11. Some think that this speaketh not of the day of Judgment but of the calling of the Jews And some think the meaning is that when Christ sets up the Thousand years refined Church by a Resurrection and his visible presence say some or by a holy Government and People and Deliverance from Enemies say others both the Power of Infidels Turks and Heathens which are meant by the Earth and the Corrupted Church both Papal and Greek c. meant by Heaven shall all vanish that the holy City may take place But most say it describeth the day of Judgment 12. And I saw the dead small and great stand before God and the books were opened and another book was opened which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works 12. When Christ hath overcome his Churches Enemies he will judge the World and the book of their own doings and Consciences shall be opened and also Gods book of Life the Scripture or Gospel Law say some which is the Rule of Judgment or the book of Gods Decree say others in which all are enrolled that shall be saved And they shall be judged according to their works the matter of Fact being recorded in their book and the matter of right in Gods Law and the conclusion in his Decree To be judged according to their works is to be then justified or condemned as they have sincerely kept Christ's Law of Grace by which they shall be tryed or have not kept it by Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience the condition of Salvation 13. And the sea gave up her dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works 13. All that were any way dead were judged according to their works by the Law that they were under 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire this is the second death 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire 14 15. And death and Hades that is Mortality shall to his Saints be by Christ for ever abolished or as some take it those wicked men that death and hell shall deliver up to Judgment shall be cast into hell fire This utter abolition or this damnation is called the second death And whosoever hath not right to Salvation by the Gospel Covenant or Law of grace and is not by God enrolled among the Heirs of Life was cast into the Lake of fire Mr. Potter and many others expound all this confidently and the two following Chapters of Christs judging and rewarding and punishing men in this Life But others as confidently of the Life to come Though this make the Text difficult it maketh no great doctrinal controversie both being commonly believed CHAP. XXI 1. ANd I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea 1. N. That the corrupt State of the World and the degenerate Church may be called the old heaven and earth is granted And that the Church before the End may be so reformed and blessed as that heaven and earth may be said to be new And also that fire at last shall dissolve the earth and that heaven that fell under the Curse for mans sin and there shall be no annihilation but a New Heaven and earth is plain in Peter c. But which of these is the sense of this Text is doubtful I incline most to the later that it is the new World that shall follow the conflagration and Judgment If any ask what the new earth shall be for he must take up with what God hath told us Therein shall dwell Righteousness and the Creature be delivered from the bondage of Corruption into the glorious liberty of the Soas of God and all things shall be restored Whether we shall then dwell on Earth or only a new made Generation is not so clear But the Jerusalem now in Heaven consisteth of Spirits And this must come down from Heaven and these Spirits must be again at the Resurrection embodyed And do not new bodies suit with a new Earth as Spirits with Heaven Obj. This will be to our loss Ans No God will dwell with man and be no Stranger to us then in Heaven Heaven and Earth will not be separated as now As our bodies will be no Clog to the Souls but Spiritual incorruptible bodies so Earth will be made suitable to them It s no diminution to the Glory of the Sun to shine on bodies no nor of God to Vouchsafe them his influence 2. And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband 2. Not new created Souls but immortal Souls coming down with Christ say some before the day of Judgment say others after Many Texts seem to place it here and not in Heaven only after the Resurrection This is the Life of Preparation on our part but Souls in Heaven are further prepared by Christ 3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying Behold the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them and be their God 3. Wherever the place be Gods presence in glory wlll make it a Heaven to us But if it did speak only of an advancement by holy Reformation and Peace on Earth it would be so far like to Heaven 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death
Note It is the part of Learners to ask their Teachers help to understand that which they understand not 37. He answered and said to them He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man 38. The field is the world the good seed are the children of the kingdom but the tares are the children of the wicked one 39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil the harvest is the end of the world and the reapers are the angels 37 c. It is Christ that soweth the good seed by Preaching the Gospel and planting the Churches by himself and his servants The World is the first object of the Gospel preached and out of which believers are gathered The good seed as sown is the Gospel but as springing up in fruit are the faithful who are properly the members of the Church of Christ The Tares as sown are evil doctrines and temptations but as sprung up in fruit are the Children of the Devil who is the father of wickedness The enemy of God and goodness and man that sowed them by himself and his servants signifieth the Devil the time of harvest is the end of this world even the day of judgment The reapers or executioners are the Angels 40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burnt in the fire so shall it be in the end of this world 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and them which do iniquity 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth 40 c. So in the end of this World Christ shall send forth his Angels as his executing Ministers and they shall gather out of the world which he is over and specially out of the visible Church all rebellious unholy wicked scandalous carnal men and shall cast them into hell which is likened to a lake of Fire where they shall in torment and a self-afflicting Conscience 43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father who hath ears to hear let him hear 43. Then shall the righteous who are now obscured by infirmities and malignant slanders and are oppressed in the world shine forth in glory in the Kingdom of Love even of God as their Father in Christ as the Sun shineth in the heavens in resplendent glory As ever you will use your ears or understandings believe and foresee this glorious blessed day to Believers 44. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a treasure hid in a field the which when a man hath found he hideth and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field 44. The way of Salvation by Christ sheweth men the certain hopes of so inestimable a treasure in the life to come as maketh the saithful choose it for their best and part with all the pleasure profit and honour of the world to obtain it 45. Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant man seeking goodly pearls 46. Who when he had found one of geat price he went and sold all that he had and bought it 45 46. Note He that findeth not by faith enough in the love of God and heavenly glory and in Christ the way thereto to make him consent sincerely and practically to sell or part with all the world rather than lose it is not capable of a just title to it nor shall obtain it 47. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was cast into the sea and gathered of every kind 48. Which when it was full they drew to the shore and sat down and gathered the good into vessels but cast the bad away 47 48. The Church is gathered as men by casting a net into the Sea gather fishes good and bad And at the day of judgment Christ will take the good to heaven and cast away the bad to hell Note 1. It is not to be wondered at that the visible Church hath good and bad 2. Yet this is not the design of the Gospel which is fitted to make all good but by the intrusion of Hypocrites Nor is it an excuse for the neglect of discipline and the just discrimination of the good and bad 49. So shall it be at the end of the world The angels shall come forth and sever the wicked from among the just 50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth 49 50. These plain and dreadful words more need belâ—â—f and deep consideration than exposition 51. Jesus saith to them Have ye understood all these things they say to him Yea Lord. 52. Then said he to them Therefore every scribe which is instructed to the Kingdom of heaven is like to a man that is an housholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old 51 52. All that are furnished with holy knowledge and are fitted to teach others must have an habitual treasure of it in their minds from whence they may be able to open the truth exhort reprove and confute all the erroneous on all just occasions as a House-keeper is stockt for the provision of his family 53 54. And it came to pass that when Jesus had finished these parables he departed thence And when he was come into his own countrey he taught them in their Synagogue insomuch that they were astonished and said whence hath this man this wisdom and these mighty works 55 56. Is not this the carpenters son is not his mother called Mary and his brethren James and Joses and Simon and Jude and his sisters are they not all with us whence then hath this man all these things And they were offended in him 53 c. Note 1. Familiarity breeds contempt It is no impediment to our faith that we saw not Christs person parentage and education 2. Carnal men are not satisfied by the evidence of Divine attestation unless they can give a reason of it and overcome the difficulty and scandal of objections 3. It is uncertain whether Mary had other Children after Jesus or these were his brethren or only his kindred 57 58. But Jesus said to them A prophet is not without honour save in his own countrey and in his own house And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief 57 58. Unbelief made men uncapable receivers of those miracles which else Christ would have wrought CHAP. XIV 1. AT that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus 2. And said to his servants This is John the Baptist he is risen from the dead and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him 1 2. Note That Herod did believe the Immortality of the Soul else he could not have believed Johns Resurrection 3 For Herod had laid hold on John and bâ—und him and put him in prison for Herodia's sake his brother Philips wise 4. For John said to him It is not
Hate Persecute Silence and Murder those that imitate them 37. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not 37. How oft have I offered by my Messengers and attempted to gather thee into a State of greatest savour and safety with tenderest Love but you would not Consent N. 1. Christ would have taken the whole City and Nation into his Church had they not refused And therefore Infants as they were before 2. If the Jews had all believed in Christ he would not have continued the Law of Moses and that Policie which did but lead to him nor have forsaken the rest of the World to make them onely his Church but would have made them a part of the Catholike Church 38.39 Behold your house is left unto you desolate For I say to you Ye shall not see me henceforth till ye shall say Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. 38.39 Your Temple and City are near to certain Desolation when you have executed you fury on me I will leave you to the fury of Destroyers and you shall see me no more till Conviction constrein you to desire me as your Saviour Note That the Country of Judaea where the remnant of the Jews after the Destruction of Jerusalem abode were Converted to Christ as other Countries were in the days of Constantine and after and a Patriarck setled at Jerusalem an A. Bishop at Caesarea and many Bishops and Churches among them though some remained obstinate CHAP. XXIV 1. AND Jesus went out and departed from the Temple and his Disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the Temple 2. And Jesus said to them See ye not all these things Verily I say to you There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down 1.2 All this shall be cast down for the Sin of this People 3. And as he sate on the mount of Olives his disciples came to him privately saying Tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world 3. They desired him that had so oft told them that he must be Crucifyed and Rise again and yet come again to tell them the meaning and signs of this his coming which they did not well understand Some Expositors of this hard Chapter think That the Question meaneth no more than what shall be the Signs of thy Coming to Destroy Jerusalem and of the end of their Policie Others think That they expected that Christ should presently come and Reign at Jerusalem and set up a Kingdom so excellent as should be the beginning of a New Age or World as Noahs after the Deluge when all the World of wicked men should submit to him or be destroyed Others say That these questions are put of different things and times and accordingly Answered 1. When the Temple should be Destroyed 2. When Christ would set up his Visible Kingdome 3. When the World should End The two first undoubtedly they meant but by his Coming I do not think they meant either his sending the Roman Army nor his Coming at the Day of Resurrection and Judgment but his Coming to be a Visible Monarch and Declaring himself King and Reigning accordingly And 3. By the End of the World whether they meant the utter Desolation at last or the End of the Unreformed Age or World which his Kingdom should overthrow I am not certain And though Christ do not presently blame their mis-expectations his Answers approve them not but tend to rectifie them 4. And Jesus answered and said to them Take heed that no man deceive you 5. For many shall come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many 4.5 It s true that this Temple shall be destroyed and my Kingdom shall be set up and the world of Enemies be subdued and that of Nature be dissolved But for your Question of the time let me first admonish you to be fortified by Patience and Faith against many Deceivers that will for tryal be permitted to pretend that not I but they are the true Messiah such were Simon Dositheas Theudas and look not for a Visible Monarch 6. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars see that ye be not troubled for all these things must come to pass but the end is not yet 6. There will be fearful Commotions Risings and Wars before these things come to pass Let not that disturb you 7.8 For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places All these are the beginning of sorrows 7.8 Wars by sedition among your selves and Wars of other Nations with other Plagues and Commotions and Signes shall be but fore-runners of that sorrowful time 9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflâ—cted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Name sake 9. And before that day fore-know what shall befall your selves Persecution Murder and common Hatred for my Name sake 10. And then many shall be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another 10. And the temptations of those days shall prevail against many that professed Faith and shall pervert them and draw them to betray and hate my true Disciples and shew their unfaithfulness 11. And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many 11. And many that make themselves the Masters of Sects and Heresies shall pretend Inspiration and Revelation for Lies and pernicious Doctrines and many shall be deceived and follow them 12. And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold 12. And iniquity shall so far abound both in the World assaulting the Church and in the declining of Church Members by Worldliness Fleshliness Pride and Heresie that the first fervours of Christian Love shall be abated 13. But he that shall endure to the end the same shall be saved 13. But he that overcometh these Temptations and keepeth his Integrity and persevereth in his Fidelity shall attain the end of his Faith and be Saved 14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations and then shall the end come 14. And the Jews driving you away by Persecution you shall Preach the Gospel to the Heathen Nations who by receiving it shall condemn the Jews And then shall come the desolation of their State and the ending of their Law and Policie 15. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place whoso readeâ—h let him understand 16. Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountaines 17. Let him which is on the house top not come down to take any thing out of his
house 18. Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes 15.16.17.18 When ye see the desolating Heathen Army come to use their force and violence against the Sacred Place of the Jews answering that which Daniel saith of others then stay not but be gon and be glad if by Flight you can save your Lives but stay not to save your Goods or Cloathes 19. And wo unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days 19. And they that are made slow by impediments of children c. are like to lose their Lives 20. But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter neither on the sabbath day 20. It will increase the calamity of your Flight if it should fall out in the Winter when the Weather will delay you or on a Sabbath day when the Jews scruple Journeying or a Sabbath Year when the Land Untilled beareth not Fruit. 21. For there shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time no nor ever shall be 22. And except those days should be shortned there should no flesh be saved but for the Elects sake those days shall be shortned 21.22 N. This was most dreadfully fulfilled as Josephus who was then among them hath fully written 1100000 Killed and 97000 Captives 22. If these Slaughters by the Romans should continue long no Jews would be left alive But God will so far preserve the Believers that their Armies shall stay but a little while 23. Then if any man shall say to you Lo here is Christ or there believe it not 24. For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect 25. Behold I have told you before 23.24.25 In this Desolation it will add to their misery that False Christs and Prophets shall rise and promise to deliver them and lead them further into snares And they shall do such Signes and Wonders as if God did not preserve them would deceive the very chosâ—â— of God the true Believers But whatever same you hear of such believe it not I have fore-warned you 26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you Behold he is in the desert go not forth Behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not 26. Go not after any such Deceiver where ever they say he is though he promise deliverance 27. For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west so shall the coming of the Son of man be 27. For as you must look for no other Saviour so my coming will not be such an appearance in Flesh but by Heavenly Light shining forth from the East unto the Westerne Parts of the World by my Word and Spirit turning men from Darkness to Light in preparation to my coming to Judgment in which I will suddenly appear from Heaven in Glory to all the World as Lightning doth in a moment in the Skies Note Some Expositors rather think it speaketh of his sudden Destroying Jerusalem 28. For wheresoever the carcase is there will the eagles be gathered together 28. And as for these forlorne Jews whose deserved Destruction is decreed of God they are as a carcase to the Eagles the Roman Messengers of Gods Wrath will find them out Note Others expound it where the Gospel is Preached thither will the People flock 29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkned and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken 29 N. Some Expound this Metaphorically of the overthrow of all the Jewish State Power Policie Others of the Roman Wars and concussions Others properly of dreadful Prodigies that shall appear before Christs coming to Judgment Joel 2.31 and 3.15 30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory 30. As some Then the Jews shall be convinced that their destruction was Christs Revenge for his Death and Rejection and all the Tribes of their Land shall Mourn as if they had seen Christ coming himself against them in the clouds with Power and Glory As others The sign of the Cross shall appear to Constantine in the Skie and all the Heathen Nations shall Mourn and be cast down and they shall see Christ setting up his Kingdom by imperial Armes with Power and Glory As others Then shall Christ suddenly appear from Heaven to Judge the World and come in the clouds with Power and Glory to the grief and terrour of all the Wicked Supposing that Christ passed from the Destruction of Jerusalem to speak of his last coming 31. And he shall send his angels with a â—reat sound of a trumpet and they shall gaâ—her together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other 31. As some He shall gather the Believers in all Judâ—a whom he saveth from this Destruction As others He shall send forth his Apostles with the Gospel as a Trumpet to call his chosen out of the World into his Church As others By Constantine and Christian Powers he shall through all the Empire set Christians in Honour and Power over the Heathens As others Literally He shall at his appearing and Judgment send his Angels and gather all his Elect to himself 32. Now learn a parable of the fig-tree When her branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh 33. So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things know that it is near even at the doors 32.33 By the similitude of the Fig-tree I tell you that there must be time for these Changes but when ye see the beginning of these Signes Know that the accomplishment is not far off 34. Verily I say unto you This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled 35. Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away 34.35 As some Some yet alive shall see all fulfilled that I have hitherto spoken that is Onely of the Destruction of Jerusalem As others That part that I have spoken of the Destruction of Jerusalem some alive shall see for it was but 38 years after As others some yet alive shall see the beginning of the performance of all that I have said and the rest will follow and a Thousand years with the Lord is but as one Day When Heaven and Earth passeth away you shall see that my Word is all Fulfilled They shall see the Catholick Church 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the angels of heaven but my Father onely 36. The day and hour of the Jews Destruction say some Of the End of the World say others none knows but God
Note 1. Whence the Ancient Doctors gathered that Christ hath a two old Knowledge Will and Operation One Humane and Imperfect the other Divine and Perfect 2. Angels may increase in knowledge 37. But as the days of Noe were so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 38. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noe entred into the ark 39. And knew not until the flood came and took them all away so shall also the coming of the Son of man be 37.38.39 As in the days of Noe they would not believe their danger till it surprized them but liv'd presumptuously in their fleshly pleasure and worldly business so will it be with Sinners at my Coming Both at the destruction of Jerusalem and at the day of Judgment 40. Then shall two be in the field the one shall be taken and the other left 41. Two women shall be grinding at the mill the one shall be taken and the other left 40.41 Then I will manifest my distinguishing Providence One that is a Believer shall be taken to me and be Saved and the other left to their delusion and destruction in unbelief Note The difficulty of most of these foregoing Texts forbids me to be peremptory in determining whether they spake onely of the destruction of Jerusalem as in Mark the Question seemeth to intimate Or also of the End of the World as some words in the Answer seem to intimate And I incline to think that as the Types and Prophecies of the Old Testament spake proximately of the things and persons Typifying but remotely and chiefly thereby of Christ and the things Typifyed so these Texts speak first of the destruction of Jerusalem and next of the Calling of the Gentiles and Catholick Church but thereby finally and chiefly of the End of the World As if Christ said As it will be here now so it will be then parabolically 42. Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come This therefore is the necessary wisdome of all to be as men on their watch never a sleep or mindless but always ready as expecting the Coming of your Lord And then though you understand not all Circumstances before hand you shall be safe 43. But know this that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up 44. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh 43.44 Seeing men will watch against a Thief if they knew when he would come watch you for the preventing of surprize because you know not but it may presently be the time and it must be a continual readiness that must be your safety not onely as to the destruction of Jerusalem but as to every mans particular Judgment For Christ spake for the use of us all to the end and not onely for the few Jews that heard him 45. Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his lord hath made ruler over his houshold to give them meat in due season 46. Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing 45.46 And those that are faithful and wise Teachers and rulers of his Church to give them meet and seasonable instruction as food for their Souls shall be found at their Lords coming Blessed Persons and shall be aboundantly gainers by their labours and their Sufferings 47. Verily I say unto you that he shall make him ruler over all his goods 47. I tell you such Ministers how poor or despised soever now by the world shall be advanced to a far greater dignity than their present Pastoral Office even to a participation under Christ of the Universal Government 48. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming 49. And shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken 48.49 But if any Assume the Sacred Ministry and shall say in his heart It is long since Christ promised to come and now his coming is either uncertain or will not be in hasle and thereupon shall indulge â—his fleshly Lusts and shall turn a malignant abuser of his fellow Servants and Persecute Silence and Oppress them and give himself up to the pleasure of his Appetite in Feasting and Drunkenness 50. The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an hour that he is not ware of 51. And shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites there shall be â—eeping and gnashing of teeth 50. The Lord of that Servant will surprise him in his Sin and Security when he least suspecteth it and will execute that Vengeance on him which is due to such as aggravate their wickedness by Hypocrisie and make him feel that as it is odious so it is dreadful to prophane Holy things and to fight against holiness in the Name of Christ and at once to be a Minister a Worldling a Sensualist and a Persecutor Annotation It is of great moment for the understanding of this Chapter and much of Christs Gospel to know the true meaning of Christs Kingdom and his Coming Tho oft he spake directly of his last coming to Judgment yet ordinarily this seemeth his meaning His Kingdom is that Reign in Heaven on Earth at once which he was to exercise as the Messiah or God Incarnate having Redeemed lost Man The little poor Nation of Israelites were his peculiar People before Upon his Ascension the Gentile World was to be Called and a Catholick Church gathered over the Earth in a more excellent covenant of peculiarity and this Catholick Church is the Kingdom of the Messiah His coming is not his sending his Enemies to destroy Jerusalem nor yet his Visible Appearance in Person till Judgment but his setting up this his Kingdom his coming to Reign that is to Erect this Catholick Church This is plainly expounded in Luke 17.20 21 23. The Pharisees demanded when the Kingdom of God should come He told them The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation or outward shew by personal visible Appearance of the King in Pomp and Splendor with a Court as Monarchs rule nor shall they say Lo here or Lo there No Head King or Court shall be Visible for behold the Kingdom of God is in you or among you It is a Spiritual Reign in Souls and in the Church of which you have already some beginnings 24. For as the Lightning that Lightneth out of one part under the Heaven shineth to the other part under Heaven So shall also the Son of man be in his Day but first he must suffer and be rejected of this Generation c. that is when he hath Suffered and been Rejected he will Rise Ascend and from Heaven send his Spirit and Word to
of the sepulchre 4. And when they looked they saw that the stone was rolled away for it was very great 4. The Angel had before done it and frighted away the Souldiers 5. And entring into the sepulchre they saw a young man sitting on the right side clothed in a long white garment and they were affrighted 6. And he saith unto them Be not affrighted ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified he is risen he is not here behold the place where they laid him See on Job 20. The reconciling of the seeming differences of the Evengelists about the Apparitions 7. But go your way tell his diâ—ciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee there shall ye see him as he said unto you See Joh. 21.1 2. 8. And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre for they trembled and were amazed neither said they any thing to any man for they were afraid 8. Fear made them silent 9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils 9. The rest were near her 10. And she went and told them that had bin with him as they mourned and wept 10. She was the first messenger of Joy to the morning weeping Disciples 11. And they when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen of her believed not 11. Note Christs Disciples found a great difficulty to believe his Resurrection and he took them noâ— at the worst 12. After that he appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the countrey 13. And they went and told it unto the residue neither believed they them 14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen 12. Mark doth but give us a brief touch of some of Christs appearances and leave much recorded by others Note unbelief and Hardness of heart are radical sins in us and of difficult cure Note Christ findeth so much of these in us as to upbrail us with them as our fault and shame and directeth us what to blame and resist in our selves 15. And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 15. To all men as far as ye are able 16. He that upon your Preaching believeth the Gospel and sincerely giveth up himself in the Baptismal Covenant to God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost by a practical and obedient Trust and dedication shall be forgiven and be saved from sin from the curse of the Law from Satan and from Hell But those to whom you Preach who will not believe and take me for their Saviour and God for their God shall be condemned to Hell as refusers of Salvation 17. And these signs shall follow them that believe in my name shall they cast out devils they shall speak with new tongues 18. They shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover 17. And because it cannot be expected that all people believe things so strange and unlikely to nature upon your bare affirmation I will by sending down the Holy Ghost attest your word by these miraculous signs They that believe and specially you my Apostles shall in my name cast out Devils from the Possessed and make them obey me and confess me You shall speak in various Languagues which you â—ever learnt Poyson shall not hurt you either Serpents outwardly or taken inwardly And you shall pray and lay your hands on the sick in my name and they shall recover Note 1. That not every one shall have all these gifts but some one and some another not that you shall use them when and how you will but as pleaseth the Holy Ghost that giveth them 19. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God 19. Note His Ascension they beheld and his Glorification they believed by the Spirits revelation 20. And they went forth and preached every where the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following Amen 20. And accordingly they began in Judah and thence went abroad through the Gentile World every where Preaching the Gospel of Christ his Person Life Doctrine Sufferings Resurrection Ascension Kingdome Judgment Glory and Blessing to his Church The Lord by his Grace making their teaching successful and assisting and confirming it by the promised Miracles The Gospel according to St. LUKE CHAP. I. 1. FOrasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed amongst us 2. Even as they delivered them unto us which from the beginning were eye-wit-nesses and ministers of the word 1. Divers having published the declaration or History in order of those matters of Fact and Doctrine which have been done and are fully believed among us Christians 2. Even as those men did faithfully deliver them to us who from the beginning were eye-witnesses of the works of Jesus and Ministers who attended him and have preached his word 3. It seemed good to me also having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first to write unto thee in order most excellent Theophilus 3. I also thought good to write the like history in order to thee most excellent Theophilus both to confirm what is by others written and to add especially of the beginning of the history what in others is omitted having my self by very diligent search got full notice of these matters from the very first which others mention not 4. That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed 4. That I may contribute my endeavour to encrease thy knowledge and confirm thy belief of those things concerning Jesus Christ which thou hast already learned among us 5. THere was in the days of Herod the King of Judea a certain priest named Zacharias of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth 5. Note The Families of the Priests officiated in their courses and Abia's course was the 8th of old 1 Chron. 24.10 After it was the 12th Nehem. 12.1 And after that the eleventh Neh. 12.17 6. And they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless 6. They were both sincere godly persons living in true obedience to all the Commandments and ordinances of God according to the Law and light which they were under without the blot of any gross or scandalous Sin 7. And they had no child because that Elizabeth was barren and they both were now
go unto him at midnight and say unto him Friend lend me three loaves 6. For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me I have nothing to set before him 7. And he from within shall answer and say Trouble me not the door is now shut and my children are with me in bed I cannot rise and give thee 8. I say unto you though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth 5 6 7 8. Though God be not as Man that giveth the importunate to be eased of them yet importunity also prevaileth with him as it fits the Receiver for his Gifts 9. And I say unto you Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you 10. For every one that that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 9 10. He that will spare for no labour and take no denial shall have no denial finally He that easily giveth over his suit and will not be at pains and patience forfeiteth mercy by contempt 11. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father will he give him a stone or if he ask a fish will he for a fish givâ— him a serpent 12. Or if he shall ask an egg will he offer him a scorpion 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit unto them that ask him 11 12 13. Note God's Goodness is a great ground of hope that he will grant our prayers that is as far as he hath promised 1. Grace and Glory certainly to all penitent Believers 2. And the things of this life on these three conditions 1. If they are such as are fit for the person 2. And he be sit for them 3. And it be fit to subserve God's higher ends his Glory and the publick good and do not cross them So much of his Spirit as is necessary to Salvation he will give to all true Believers And the additional degrees and gifts he giveth on the terms aforesaid 14. And he was casting out a devil and it was dumb And it came to pass when the devil was gone out the dumb spake and the people wondred 15. But some of them said He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils 14 15. See Matth. 12. They were so convinced of the fact of his Miracles that they had no plea for their unbelief left them but to say he did them by Conjuration which is the blaspheming of the Holy Ghost 16. And others tempting him sought of him a sign from heaven 17. But he knowing their thoughts said unto them Every kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation and a house divided against a house falleth 18. If Satan also be divided against himself how shall his kingdom stand because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub 19. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils by whom do your sons cast them out therefore shall they be your judges 16 17 18 19. Note When Satan laboureth to divide the Church of Christ it is that he may destroy it And should we do worse against Christ's Kingdom than Satan will do by his own 20. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you 20. It is the approving work of God to set up his Kingdon against the Devils 21. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace his goods are in peace 22. But when a stronger then he shall come upon him and overcome him he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted and divideth his spoils 21 22. If I did not conquer Satan I could not cast him out of his possession of Bodies and Souls 23. He that is not with me is against me and he that gathereth not with me scattereth 23. See Matth. 12.30 24. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh thorow dry places seeking rest and finding none he saith I will return unto my house whence I came out 25. And when he cometh he findeth it swept and garnished 26. Then goeth he and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked then himself and they enter in and dwell there and the last state of that man is worse than the first 24 25 26. But let him that is delivered from Satans possession of Body or Soul take heed that he return not For when Satan is cast out he tryeth by his Temptations to get Possession of some others And when he hath asâ—â—â—â—ed many and is resisted and frustrate by the grace of God he resolveth again to try his assaults on him that was delivered And finding him careless unwatchful and ready to receive his Temptations he suggesteth worse things to him than those that he had renounced and bringeth in on fair pretences sevenfold worse vices than he had before And the end of that man is worse than was his first captivity to Satan Note It is some kind of rest to Devils to deceive and destroy Souls As it is to a malicious man to do mischief by revenge Devils are not yet at their most easeless state See Mat. 12.43 27. And it came to pass as he spake these things a certain woman of the company lift up her voice and said unto him Blessed is the womb that bare thee and the paps which thou hast sucked 28. But he said Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it 27 28. Note Carnal persons most regard carnal Relations 2. Christ accounts them that hear and keep God's Word as more amiable and blessed than it would be to have been his own Mother And we must judge as he doth Though when God maketh the provision for our Families out duty we must obey him as his Stewards in our distributions yet Grace is more amiable than natural Relations 29. And when the people were gathered thick together he began to say This is an evil generation they seek a sign and there shall no sign be given it but the sign of Jonas the Prophet 30. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites so shall also the Son of man be to this generation 29 30. As Jonas after three days abode in the Sea was sent to preach so after my three days in the grave I will rise and call the World to Repentance by mine Apostles and my Spirit and save them as Nineve was saved 31. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold a greater than Solomon is here 31. It shall appear that the Jews are worse than her and deserve destruction for being so
had not come with sufficient evidence it had not been their sin not to believe me to be the Christ But now their unbelief and Persecution hath no pretence 23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also 23. The hatred that is against me is consequently against God my Father it being his Word Works and Witness which they reject 24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father 24. They had not been bound to believe me to be the Christ if I had not shewed Gods Attestation such works as no man else can do or if any one had done the like Note Yet it is a false inference of the Infidels that therefore none are bound to take him for the Christ where he never came and did such works For History may as infallibly transmit the notice of his Works as Sight and Hearing could receive them 25. But this cometh to pass that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their Law They hated me without a cause 25. But the Word written in Psal 3.19 which in a large sense is part of their Law is thus fulfilled 26. But when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father even the Spirit of truth which procedeth from the Father he shall testifie of me 26. But when the Holy Ghost my Advocate and your Comforter is sent down upon you whom after my Resurrection I will send to you for his Eminent signal Gifts from the Father even that Holy Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father he shall be my great Prevailing Witness both to you and by you to the World and shall cause belief 27. And ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with me from the beginning 27. And you on whom this Spirit shall come down shall by his operation be made my effectual Witnesses of what I have said and done and suffered because you have been with me as Eye and Ear Witnesses from the beginning of my publick Ministration CHAP. XVI THese things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended 2. They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service 1 2. I foretell you what you must expect that when it cometh you may not be scandalized and turned back They shall cast you out by Excommunication of their Sacred and Civil Assemblys as a reproach yea they that kill you shall do it as an acceptable offering or service to God Note How little do the Religious pretenses of Persecutors deserve regard 3. And these things wilâ— they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me 3. Did they know the Father and me they would do otherwise wilful Ignorance is the cause 4. But these things have I told you that when the time shall come ye may remember that I told you of them And these things I said not unto you at the beginning because I was with you 4. Remember I foretold you all this which I said not from the beginning because I was with you to incourage you and your time of trial was not come and at first you could not so well bear it 5. But now I go my way to him that sent me and none of you asketh me whither goest thou 6. But because I have said these things unto you sorrow hath filled your heart 5 6. But now I am going to him that sent me and though it be on your business and for your interest you ask me not whither and for what I go But sorrow oppresseth you to hear of my departure 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you 7. Believe it my departure is for your benefit For the Holy Ghost whom I will then send will be better to you than my bodily presence on Earth 8. And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment 9. Of sin because they believe not on me 10. Of righteousness because I go to my Father and ye see me no more 11. Of judgement because the prince of this world is judged 8 9 10 11. And it will be his work effectually to plead my cause And first to convince the World of their sin in accusing rejecting and murdering me in whom they should have believed which he will do by his Gifts Miracles and inward Operations And Secondly to convince them of the Truth and Righteousness of my Person and Doctrine and my Right to be the Head of the Church and the Righteousness of my Government of it Because I go into Heaven to take fuller Possession of my Plenipotency and Administration and by my Spirit in you and on the Hearers shall more effectually convince Men and gather my Church than I did while I was with you And Thirdly He shall convince them that God hath Exalted me to the Power of Conquering Satan and his Kingdom and punishing Rebellious Adversaries when they shall see that by my Spirit the Kingdom of Satan falleth and the Powers that served him are partly Converted and partly confounded and destroyed 12. I have yet many things to say unto you but ye cannot bear them now 12. I have many things more to make known to you which you are not yet prepared to receive 13. Howbeit when he the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth for he shall not speake of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speake and he will shew you things to come 13. But when the Holy Spirit of Truth is come upon you he will make you capable and will guide you into all Truth which you must Preach and Record for the Propagating and ordering my Church Preaching to the Gentiles laying by the Mosaick Law c. For he shall speak but that which is of God and things to come and which you are not yet fit to receive 14. He shall glorifie me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you 14. It is this Extraordinary gift of the Holy Ghost which shall be my great convincing Witness in the World that shall prove me to be the Saviour For it is from me that he is sent and my Word that he shall Teach you whether it be Remembring or Expounding what I have already spoken or Teaching you more by Inspiration What he saith and doth in and by you my chosen Apostles that I do by him and you 15. All things that the Father hath are mine therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you 15. I say he shall take of mine For the wisdom Grace and Gifts that come from the Father come from me that which
Law or against Caesar who had taken from them the power of putting offenders to death which the Law gave them 6. This they said tempting him that they might have to accuse him But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not 6. Beza taketh this Writing on the ground to be improbable and part of the Apocryphal story If it was otherwise it signified but a discerning of their snare and a putting off the answer by a seeming neglect or disregard 7. So when they continued asking him he lift up himself and said unto them he that is without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her 7. N. Thus he evadeth the snare of their question as not belonging to him to judg 8. And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground 9. And they which heard it being convicted by their own conscience went out one by one beginning at the eldest even to the last and Jesus was left alone and the woman standing in the midst 8.9 N. It is so improbable that Christ should be left alone in the Temple that this increaseth Beza's suspition that it is Apocryphal But if it be true it meaneth that those went away who came to accuse the woman and left him with his auditors and the woman 10. When Jesus had lift up himself and saw none but the woman he said to her where are those thine accusers Hath no man condemned thee 11. She said No man Lord And Jesus said to her neither do I condemn thee go and sin no more 10.11 N. Those that hence take encouragement to connive at adultery must note 1. That the text it self is of uncertain authority 2. If it were certain it signifieth not that Christ would have adultery unpâ—pnished but that he disclaimed the office of a Judg in matters of corporal punishment as being no Magistrate 12. Then spake Jesus again to them saying I am the light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life 12. N. Here begins the certain Text q. d. I am that Teacher sent from God who shew all my followers that light that quickneth and leadeth to everlasting life and others live and walk in darkness 13. The Pharisees therefore said to him Thou bearest record of thy self thy record is not true 14. Jesus answered and said to them though I bear record of my self yet my record is true for I know whence I came and whither I go but ye cannot tell whence I come and whither I go 13.14 Thy own testimony of thy self is not credible Jesus said Even my testimony of my self is true and credible because I know what I say and whence I come c. But your denial of it is not credible because you know not whence I come c. but speak against what you know not 15. Ye judg after the flesh I judg no man 16. And if I judg my judgment is true for I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me 15.16 You see no further than my fleshly part and originals I do not so rashly judg of any But yet my judgment is true and credible for you have not my bare word but therewith the works of the power of my Father that sent me and his attestation 17. It is also written in your Law that the testimony of two men is true 18. I am one that bear witness of my self and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me 17.18 Your Law alloweth two Witnesses to be credible I am one who may be allowed to witness about other mens interest that I am sent by the Father to save lost sinners and the Father is the other whose Voice and Works bear witness of me 19. Then said they to him Where is thy Father Jesus answered ye neither know me nor my father If you had known me ye would have known my father also 19. Where is thy Father Is not Joseph thy father He said you know neither Me nor my Father Had you by my Doctrine and Works known Me and my Office I should have taught you to know my Father 20. These words spake Jesus in the treasury as he taught in the Temple and no man laid hands on him for his hour was not yet come 20. N. Till Gods appointed time of trial and suffering among the fiercest enemies there is safety 21. Then said Jesus again unto them I go my way and ye shall seek me and shall die in your sins Whither I go ye cannot come 21. I came to you as a Saviour and ye reject me and I will accordingly depart from you and your sin shall bring destruction on you and I will send the Gospel to the Gentiles and will ascend to Heaven whence your sin will exclude you 22. Then said the Jews Will he kill himself because he saith Wither I go ye cannot come 23. And he said unto them ye are from beneath I am from above ye are of this world I am not of this world 24. I said therefore unto you that ye shall die in your sins For if ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sins 22. Ye are of this lower World I am of above and thither I go And if you believe not that I am the Christ your Nation shall be destroyed for rejecting me and you shall die unpardoned in your sin 25. Then said they unto him Who art thou And Jesus saith unto them even the same that I laid unto you from the beginning 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you but he that sent me is true and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him 25. Even the Messiah as I have always told you I have much to say against your Infidelity but I will now only appeal to my Fathers testimony whose words I speak 27. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father 27. N. Gross ignorance is the parent and nurse of unbelief 28. Then said Jesus unto them when ye have lift up the son of man then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of my self but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things 28. When ye have crucified me then I shall convince many of you by fuller evidence that I am the Christ and the rest shall feel it to their destruction and these my words shall be confirmed 29. And he that sent me is with me the Father hath not left me alone for I do always those things which please him 29. My Father that sent me never deserteth me for I do but fulfil his will and do what he appointed me 30. And as he spake these words many believed on him 31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him if ye continue in my word then are you my Disciples indeed 32. And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make
And he said unto me Depart for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles 21. I have other work for thee to do elsewhere with more success 22. And they gave him audience unto this word and then lift up their voices and said Away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that he should live 22. Note 1. Of how little credit is the judgment of blinded wicked Men of Gods Servants when they judge them unfit to live on earth it signifyeth no guilt in them but their own madness 23. And as they cried out and cast of their cloathes and threw dust into the air 24. The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle and bad that he should be examined by scourging that he might know wherefore they cryed so against him 23 24. Note What usage Gods Servants must look for in the world The Legalists rage as the Devills Bedlams and the Heathen judge who was just and preserved him yet would scourge him on presumption before he heard his cause but there is at hand a final judgment where all these Bedlams and Tyrants shall be cast 25. And as they bound him with thongs Paul said unto the centurion that stood by Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned 25. As they prepared his Body to be scourged he said Is it not against your Law to scourge a Man uncondemned who is a Denizon of the Roman priviledges 26. When the centurion heard that he went and told the chief captain saying Take heed what thou doest for this man is a Roman 27. Then the chief captain came and said unto him Tell me art thou a Roman He said Yea. 28. And the chief captain answered with a great sum obtained I this freedom And Paul said But I was Free-Born 26. Art thou a Roman Denizon Note Tarsus was a City that was enfranchised with the Roman priviledges 29. Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him and the chief captain also was afraid after he knew that he was a Roman and because he had bound him 29. Note The fear of Mans Laws hath more power with worldly Men than the fear of God 30. On the morrow because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews he loosed him from his bands and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear and brought Paul down and set him before them 30. He would hear him and them together CHAP. XXIII ANd Paul earnestly he holding the council said Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day 1. Quest Did Paul persecute with a good Conscience Ans He went according to his Conscience though in sinful ignorance 2. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth 2. Note The usual Justice of proud Archpriests whose will is instead of reason and equity 3. Then said Paul unto him God shall smite thee thou whited wall for sittest thou to juge me after the law and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law 4. And they that stood by said Revilest thou Gods high Priest 3. Note The gross injustice of the Archpriest is not blamed by them but Paul taken as criminal for reproving it 5. Then said Paul I wist not brethren that he was the high Priest For it is written Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people 5. Note Some think that Paul confesseth himself guilty of rashness or passion But others rather think that he spake but Ironically Ananias being indeed no High Priest but an Usurper but yet it was not prudence for Paul openly to say so q. d. I knew not that he was the true High Priest for he was not and I confess it a Sin to revile Rulers for it is forbidden But it s no sin to vindicate innocency and declare the unrighteousness of Oppressours and Prophetically to foretel Gods Judgments against them Christ said more who never sinned and was made under the Law Rulers are not unreprovable 6. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees he cried out in the council Men and brethren I am a Pharisee the Son of a Pharisee of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question 6. He took the advantage of their own differences to draw the Pharisees to favour him and to turn their opposition against each other He spake nothing but the Truth but he left out one half of the truth and so it was a sort of Equivocation which is a sepaking part of the truth concealing another part knowing that the hearer will thence misunderstand it This is a fault when we are obliged to declare the whole or when its injurious to the Hearers or to the Truth but by concealment to occasion other Mens error or deceit is not always a sin 7. And when he had so said there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the multitude was divided 8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection neither angel nor spirit but the Pharisees confess both 8. How bad a State was the Jewish Church in when Men that believed no life but this had equal power with the rest in Priesthood and Government 2. What Hypocrites were these Pharisees that could thus embody with damnable Hereticks and yet could not endure Christians but silenced and murdered them like the Papists Prelates who can endure Jews and Atheists while they burn or silence Protestants 9. And there arose a great cry and the scribes that were of the Pharisees part arose and strove saying We find no evil in this man but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him let us not fight against God 9. Note See how partiality will change Mens Judgment according to the interest of a party or faction 10. And when there arose a great dissension the chief captain fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them commanded the souldiers to go down and to take him by force from among them and to bring him into the castle 11. And the night following the Lord stood by him and said Be of good cheer Paul for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem so must thou bear witness also at Rome 11. Note Gods encouragements accompany his commands and faithful service 12. And when it was day certain of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul 12. Note Seeing the Pharises now spake for him it seems all or most of these furious men were Sadducees who were then the strongest Party And even to this day those that believe no life to come are the most cruel Enemies of Believers And what should deter such from bloody Vows Conspiracies and Perjuries When yet only Devillish malice doth provoke them 13.
of God despightful proud boasters inventers of evil things disobedient to parents without understanding covenant-breakers without natural affection implacable unmerciful 29. So far is their Learning and Arts from making them just and happy that they abound with all manner of odious shameful Sin here named 32. Who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death not only commit the same but have pleasure in them that do them 32. And all their knowledge of Good and Evil is so far from Justifying or Sanctfying them that they live in the practice of that which they know God doth condemn and in their Societies and Conversation make it their delight CHAP. II. 1. THerefore thou art unexcusable O man whosoever thou art that judgest for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thy self for thou that judgest dost the same things 1. Therefore thou that thinkest highly of thy self for thy Knowledg and basely of others as ignorant or barbarous art so far from being justified by this that it aggravateth thy Sin and leaveth thee without excuse For thou livest in as great Sin as those whom thou condemnest as Ignorant 2. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things 2. But we know that God will judge all Men in Truth and Righteousness according to their Works and will condemn evil doers whatever their Knowledge and Profession be 3. And thinkest thou this O man who judgest them which do such things and dost the same that thou shalt escape the judgment of God 3. Is it not then thy manifest error to think that thy Knowledge and condemning Sin in-others will justifie and save thee that livest in Sin 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up to thy self wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God 6. Who will render to every man according to his deeds 4 5 6. While thou boastest of Wisdom and livest in Wickedness thou shewest the more contempt of God even of the Riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing Practically that the goodness of God which thou dost acknowledge in Words should lead thee to Repentance and forsaking of Sin 5. But thy Heart being hardened in impenitency by Sin against Knowledge thou dost but treasure up certain punishment against the Day when God will shew his Righteousness by his Judgment 6. And will judge and use Men according to their Deeds 7. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality eternal life 7. To them who by a life of true obedience and patient waiting for his Reward do seek first for future Glory and Honour and Immortal Happiness he will give Eternal Life 8 9. But to them that are contentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath tribulation and anguish upon every soul that doth evil of the Jew first and also of the Gentiles 8 9. But to them that resist the Light and contend against the revealed Truth and obey it not but live in the Practice of Uunrighteousness while they boast of Knowledge God will pour forth his Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish even on every one that liveth in Sin and Wickedness first on the Jews who sin under their boasting of their Peculiarity Law and Jewish Knowledge and the Greeks and Romans who sin under their boasting of Learning and Philosophy and conceited Wisdom 10 11. But glory and honour and peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile For there is no respect of persons with God 10 11. But Glory Honour and Peace to every Man that liveth a life of true Obedience and well doing to the Jew first according to their Covenant-Prerogative and also to the Gentiles as being in the same Covenant of Grace for God saveth not Men partially for their outward Priviledges or their barren Knowledge and Profession 12. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law 12. For all Men shall be judged according to the Oblâ—gations which they were under They that sinned against the Law of Nature and commmon Mercies and were never under the Mosaical Law or Supernatural Revelation shall be condemned by the Law which they sinned against and not by that which was never given them But the Jews that sinned under Moses's Law shall be judged by it 13. For not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified 13. For no Law of God doth justifie Men meerly for having it and hearing it but for doing it so far as they do it 14. For when the Gentiles which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the law are a law unto themselves 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another 14 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the Jewish or any written Law of God do by Nature that which that Law commandeth these having not that supernatural written Law have Gods Law of Nature in themselves and shew the effects of this Natural Revelation written in their Hearts their Consciences naturally having some Conviction of Gods Soveraign Government and Mans duty tells them as a Witness whether they do well or ill and their Reason accusing or defending them accordingly 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel 16. I mean not by any mistaken self judging in this World but even at the Bar of Christ when God shall open all mens secret Acts and rectifie all mistaken judgings as I have preached in foretelling that judgment of Christ 17. Behold thou art called a Jew and restest in the law and makest thy boast of God 18. And knowest his will and approvest the things that are more excellent being instructed out of the law 19. And art confident that thou thy self art a guide to the blind a light of them that are in darkness 20. An instructer of the foolish a teacher of babes which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law 17 18 19 20. And that you may know that the Law will justifie no man for having or knowing it but for doing it consider that it is but self-deceit to think that thou shalt be justified for being called a Jew and resting in the Divineness and perfection of your Law and boasting that you are Gods peculiar People and that his Will and excellent things are known by you which the world knoweth not
deciding Publick Judges But mis-judging will excuse no Injury Qu. XIII What sort of Debt is sinful Verse 8. Ans It is Injustice not to give every Man his due if we are able And to promise or borrow what we know we cannot pay or when we acquaint not the Lender with the weakness and doubtfulness of our Estate that the hazard may be by his own cosent is to defraud him and is a Stealing of one of the worst sorts Qu. XIV Verse 13. When is Provision for the Flesh unlawful Ans When it is sought more to satisfie its Appetite or Lust or inordinate Desires than to strengthen and fit us and others for our Duty to God and Man CHAP. XIV 1. HIm that is weak in the faith receive you but not to doubtful disputations 1. And as your subjection to Government is necessary to a life of Christian Love and Concord so also is the mutual forbearance and reception of such brethren as are weak in the Faith and differ in disputable tolerable points Therefore see that you receive such to your Love and Communion without searching their Opinons and racking them by doubtful disputations about the points wherein they differ 2. For one believeth that he may eat all things another who is weak eateth herbs 2. For instance one truly believeth that all meats are now lawful another either thinks that he should not live on the Life and Flesh of his fellow Creatures or that he should at least abstain from that which by the Law of Moses was forbidden This is his weakness 3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth for God hath received him 3. Let not him that understandeth that eating all things is lawful set at nought or vilifie him as a humorous scrupulous fool who is of another opinion and thinks it unlawful to eat flesh as many are too apt to do and let not him that dare not eat such Flesh or Meat forbidden by Moses's Law take him for an ungodly sinner that doth otherwise nor separate from him as prophane For God that is most holy and hateth all sin yet receiveth both these sorts and therefore so must you if you will Please God 4. Who art thou that judgest another mans servant To his own master he standeth or falleth Yea he shall be holden up for God is able to make him stand 4. Dost thou know thy self while thou so judgest others Who art thou a sinful man that thou presumest to judge and condemn Gods Servants It is his Sentence and not thine to which they shall stand or fall as justified or condemned and these differences shall not hinder God's acceptance of him and his Salvation for God that is just and merciful can justifie confirm and save him 5. One man esteemeth one day above another another esteemerh every day alike Let every man be fully perswaded in his own mind 5. So one Man makes Conscience to keep the Jewish Feasts and Fasts Another knoweth that Christ hath abrogated them Let every one labour as well as he can to know God's Will and then be true to his upright Conscience as knowing that he may not in these things follow the judgment of others against his own which he thinks is according to the mind of God whom he intendeth herein to obey 6. He that regardeth a day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord be doth not regard it He that eateth eateth to the Lord for he giveth God thanks and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not and giveth God thanks 6. He that maketh Conscience to keep such Days and not so to eat he intendeth it as an Act of Obedience to God and so doth he that is contrarily minded and both of them pray for Gods acceptance and give him thanks And dare you for such things discourage or reject Men that as they are able study to please God Is pleasing God so light in your esteem 7. For none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself 7. For we are all convinced that we are not our own and therefore may not do what we list our selves and fit our practice to carnal self-interests but to the pleasing of the Will of God as all Men die at his Will and into his Hands and not their own 8. For whether we live we live unto the Lord or whether we die we die unto the Lord Whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords 8. For our lives are of God and must be for him to do his Will and when we die his Will therein is done in which we must contentedly acquiesce For living and dying we are his 9. For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living 9. For this being the very end of Christs dying rising and reviving that he might be Lord of all both dead and living who shall presume to take the governing or judging power out of his Hands and take Mens Souls and Consciences from subjection to him and expect to be obeyed or pleased before him 10. But why dost thou judge thy brother Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ 10. Why then doth one Party call their Brethren sinners or prophane for not being against such lawful things as they call unlawful And why do the other part vilifie their Brethren for Conscionable scrupling and avoiding such a lawful thing Do you not all know our common imperfection of Knowledge and that we have no authority for such Judgment or Contempt And are you not afraid thus to usurp the Judgment which belongs to Christ and fear lest he will judge you for your uncharitableness to his Servants 11 12. For it is written As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God 11 12. God hath told us in his Word that he will be first obeyed and pleased before all Men It is he that is our supreme absolute Lord and to him we must all give our great account and from him receive our final doom And would you wish any then to obey or humour you when he is perswaded that it displeaseth God and would condemn him Or will you anticipate God's Judgment and tempt Men out of the fear of sinning by your fallible censures or contempt 13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more but judge this rather that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brothers way 13. Let not us therefore Pastors or Neighbours thus uncharitably judge or use each other for such tolerable differences in things that are done Conscientiously as for God But instead of this discouraging Conscience and the fear of sin let this be your
this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 27. And it being so sacred an Institution for so high a Use whoever shall profane it and use it but as common Food or contrary to the holy Ends of it which is the signification of Gods Love to us by the Sacrifice of Christ for our Sins and our Signification and Covenant of Love and Union with him and one another he partaketh in Guilt with them that despise and crucifie him 28. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. 28. But let Men try and examine themselves whether their Hearts and Practice do answer the necessary Ends of this holy Institution coming to it as reverent Partakers of the Sacramental or Representative Sacrificed Body and Blood of Christ in the penitent and believing sense of their Sin and need of a Saviour and of his pardoning and healing Grace trusting the Hopes of their Salvation on him and sincerely renewing their Self-dedication to him and Covenant of New Obedience to him in Love and Unity with his Church even all sincere Believers and so let them comfortably herein communicate 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body 29. For he that eateth and drinketh otherwise than thus that is profanely and not to the Ends of the Institution doth but draw Judgment on himself in stead of Grace 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep 30. For this very Sin of Profaning the holy Ordinance God hath inflicted on many of you Weakness and Sickness and Death on some For God useth Paternal Castigation Justice and Punishments even on his Family 31. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged 31. And if we would examine and judge our selves and so come to this Feast as true penitent Believers with a right Intent and holy Reverence we should escape such castigatory Penalties and the Judgment of God 32. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world 32. But these Judgments of God on his Family are not by destructive Revenge but Fatherly Chastisements to bring us to Repentance that we may not be condemned with the unholy World 33. Wherefore my brethren when ye come together to eat tarry one for another 33. Wherefore as Brethren do all in that impartial Unity and Love as answereth your Profession and Christs Institution and not in Selfishness Division or Prophaneness 34. And if any man hunger let him eat at home that ye come not together unto condemnation And the rest will I set in order when I come 34. Let the hungry eat at home and not disorder the sacred Communion and use it carnally or as a common Feast and that with uncharitable inequality lest your prophanation of so holy a thing bring down Gods Judgments on you As for other Points of Church Order I will determine them when I come ANNOTATIONS I. AS to the Custom of Men and Womens Covering and Hair mentioned ver 13 14 c. 1. It is certain that the Significancy is the thing that must decide the Case and that as Words so this Action is an arbitrary Sign and depends on the Custom and Opinion of the Country as the Expositor And that with us where Mens being uncovered signifieth Reverence and Submission to a Superiour the Case quite differeth from that of the Corinthians 2. And yet the Custom is so common in most Nations for Women to wear their Hair at full length and Men to cut it that it seems there is somewhat in Nature that tendeth to this difference as there is in Kneeling and Prostration to shew Humiliation and Submission And to consound the Difference of Sexes in Habits is a great Sin tending to Debauchery and to hide unclean and Beastly Conversation And therefore though a Man may in such things of themselves indifferent do as the worst do in an undecent Fashion to aovid some greater Evil as among Thieves or Persecutors to escape unknown as one may wear Womens Clothes to escape from unjust Imprisonment or Death yet sober godly Persons should not without such necessity imitate the Fashions which are the Ensigns of Pride Debauchery or any sinful self-distinguishing sort of Men or Women Apply this to our Case of Mens wearing great Periyuks and that of Womens Hair who sell it for that use and to the Fashion of Womens naked Breasts and Gowns with long superfluous Trains while the Poor want necessary Cloathing c. What would Paul have said if any of these had been then the Case II. It is a most doleful Case that Satan hath prevailed to turn this sacred Institution of Christs Supper into the matter of bloody Contention with sâ—me and of uncomfortable distracting Scruples and Fears with others when as Christ ordained it to be the firm Bond of constant Love and Unity and the great Comfort of the Souls of penitent Believers 1. On one side by over-doing in the Dogmatical and Ceremonious part it is turned into the Monsters of Transubstantiation the Priests Communion alone while the People look on a half Sacrament without the Cup a Latin Mass not understood a Real Sacrifice offered for the Dead in stead of a Representative Commemorative Sacrifice the Adoration of Bread as God supposed to be no Bread but the Body of God indeed c. And it 's made an Engine to wrack Mens Consciences and tear the Church by excommunicating all that dare not Conform to all the Dresses which usurping Domination hath painted this Sacrament withal And the Blood of Christs faithful Servants is shed for not following all these Opinions and antick Ceremonies that the Sacrifice of Christs Body and Blood is abused by So that alas how many Churches are torn and persecute one another for not using this Sacrament of Love and Communion according to those Devices of Men which Peter or Paul never used or approved 2. On the other side many godly Persons quite misunderstanding the Words of Paul about unworthy receiving come with such an excess of Reverence and Fear lest they eat and drink their own Damnation that either they seldom venture to Communicate which the old Christians did oftner than every Lords Day or else they are more terrified far than comforted And looking that God should suddenly comfort them in the very Act of Receiving while they fight against their own Comforts by Mistakes and unbelieving Fears when they feel not their Expectation answered they are ready to despair as having received unworthily And should they do so by Prayer and Hearing what a Torment and Slavery would they make of Religion by their Errour 3. And yet the Ignorant and Ungodly who truly receive unworthily can from the bare doing of the outward Act steal to themselves that deceitful Comfort by which they are
restoring him by Repentance and use not rough Severity and Contempt considering how uncertain you are what Temptation may dâ— upon your selves 2. Bear ye one anothers burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ 2 Let other Mens Burdens Hurts and Dangers be to you as if they were your own help each other to deliverance and ease and not add to the Load that is upon them And by this you shall fulsul the Law of Christ which is the Law of Love 3. For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing he deceiveth himself 3. Alas Man is a poor nothing unable of himself to stand in trial and the self-confident who roughly handle the Faulty or contemn them and so think themselves to be something do but deceive themselves as the Event will manifest 4. But let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoycing in himself alone and not in another 4. The way of Wisdom is not to lift up your selves as Wise and Good by sharp censuring the Faults of others but closely to try and prove your selves and your own doings that so your own Consciences may speak comfort to you and not to seek Honour by insulting over the Weak that others may exalt you 5. For every man shall bear his own burden 5. For it is not other Mens Goodness or Sins for which Men shall be rewarded or punished but their own And therefore they are most concerned to judge themselves 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things 6. And to your Teachers it is the Hearers Duty to maintain them and communicate according to your own Ability for their Provision and Supply 7. Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap 7. Let not Men deceive themselves by a barren Profession for God will not be deceived All Men shall reap as they sowe and be judged according to their Works 8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting 8. They that seek first Provision for their own Flesh do live but for a Body that will rot in the Grave and where then is the Fruit of their Life besides the Ruine of their Soul But they that in obedience to the Spirit do live a spiritual Life for spiritual Felicity shall receive everlasting Life as their Reward 9. And let us not be weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not 9. And let not us be tired with length of Labour or delay of the Reward Harvest cometh not as soon as we have sown When Gods due season is come we shall certainly reap the blessed Fruit if fainting make us not come short of it 10. As we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the houshold of faith 10. Let us therefore according to our several Abilities do all the good to all Men that we can but especially to Christians who are the Houshold or Church of Christ 11 12. Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh they constrain you to be circumcised onely lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ 11 12. You see how large a Letter your own Danger hath drawn me to write They that would draw you to conformity to the Jews are a Carnal sort of Men that will keep their Wordly Reputation and Safety and because they cannot suffer Persecution from the Jews themselves they would draw you to this Conformity with them that you may seem to justifie them in their Sin and pretend that all others are ignorant of Christian Liberty 13. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh 13. For they keep not the Law themselves but would keep up their Reputation by getting you on their side to strengthen their Interest and make you their Defence 14. But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world 14. But my Glorying shall not be in worldly Prosperity and freedom from Sufferings but in following a Crucified Christ in Cross-bearing by whom the World to me is a dead contemned thing as Christ on the Cross seemed to the Men of the World and my Esteem and Love of the World are crucified and dead in me so that I can spare its Ease and Honours 15. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a new creature 15. For in the Judgment of Christ the Christianity which is accepted to Salvation is neither Circumcision nor Uncircumcision though Judaizing Circumcision be now contrary to Grace but it is a New Creature by the Spirit regenerated to God 16. And as many as walk according to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God 16. And the Peace and Mercy of God will be on all them that walk as New Creatures by the guidance of his Spirit placing acceptable Religion in this and not in Circumcision or Uncircumcision This Benediction I pronounce on them that are the true Israel of God and will so be accepted by him however judged of by Man 17. From henceforth let no man trouble me for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus 17. Let not those that profess themselves Christians any more trouble me by their Emulations and Calumnies and by seducing the Churches For I carry with me the Marks of my Faithfulness to Christ even the Sufferings which I undergo for him which are a better Evidence of his Acceptance than avoiding Persecution is to my Accusers that would seduce you 18. Brethren the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit Amen 18. My Benediction and Prayer for you is That the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be with your Spirit to guide justifie and sanctifie you which will save you when Judaism and trusting to the Works of the Law will fail you Amen The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the EPHESIANS CHAP. I. 1. PAul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus 2. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ 1 2. Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ called and sent by his Appearance and Voice to preach his Gospel to which God had chosen me to the Saints and faithful Christians at Ephesus my Benediction and Prayer is That they may have Grace and Peace Holiness and Consolation from God our Father and Christ our Saviour 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who
against each other that was like to cause Schism in the Church 4. Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others 4. Specially take heed of Selfishness which maketh Men over-regardful of all that is their own their own Interest in Honour of Profit or Opinion and to set too light by other Mens yea to set against the Interest of others to advance their own Note That Self-denial and Love or to love others as our selves are the great Means to keep and cast out Schism and the want of them in Clergy and Laity is the common Mischief and Ruine of the Churches 5 6. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God 5 6. Learn this of Christ who being God the Brightness of his Fathers Glory and the express Image of his Subsistence or Person Hâ—b 1.3 thought it no Robbery to be Equal with God the Father being One with him 7. But made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men 7. But yet condescended to assume Humane Nature and so in that which was visible was a Man and a Servant obliged to Obedience in the most humble Instance and so made himself by this humble Self-deniâ—l of no Reputation with the unbelieving World that knew not his Divinity thus veiled yea coâ—nted him a Malefactor 8. And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the cross 8. And being visible onely in his Humane Nature like other Men he yet further humbled himself obeying his Father by submitting to the reproachful cursed Death of being crucified as accused of Blasphemy and Treason against Caesar 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name 9. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him in that Manhood in which he suffered and hath given him greater Dignity and Honour and Renown than any Creature ever â—ad over them all 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bowe of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth 10. That to his Dignity and Power all Creatures should be subject and Angels Men and Devils should by their submission respectively honour his Name 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father 11. And that all reasonable Creatures acknowledge Christs Dominion to the Glory of the Father 12. Wherefore my beloved as ye have always obeyed not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 12. Wherefore as you have always lived in Obedience to Christ both while I was with you and much more since go on and finish or perfect that holy Obedience which God requireth of you for the obtaining of Salvation and that with holy care and diligence and watchful cautelous fear of miscarrying 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure 13. Which I may the more confidently exhort you to in hope because you are not the prime Agents required to do this meerly of your selves but onely under God the prime Cause of all Good both of Nature and Grace who doth not onely give you Power but worketh in you both the Act of Willing and of Working of his own good Pleasure 14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings 14. And do all your Works of Obedience to God in Love and Peace with one another without murmuring at your Work or one another and without provoking Wrâ—nglings 15. That ye may be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse râ—tion among whom ye shine as lights in the world 15. That you may be â—nreproveable and sincere the blameless Sons of God in the midst of a naughty crooked perverse Generation or sort of Men among whom ye shine as lights in the World 16. Holding forth the word of life that I may rejoyce in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain neither laboured in vain 16. That in the day of Christs Judgment I may rejoice not only in the sincerity of my labour but in the success that I have not preached and laboured and suffered without fruit 17. Yea and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith I joy and rejoyce with you all 17. Yea if I suffer death as a Sacrifice for the service of your Faith your Constancy and Welfare will make it matter of joy to me for your sakes 18. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoyce with me 18. And if my suffering be my joy let it be yours also be not discouraged but rejoyce with me 19. But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state 19. But I hope by the mercy of the Lord to send Timothy shortly to you that when by him I know your State I may have comfort in you as you may have in me 20. For I have no man like-minded who will naturally care for your state 20. For I have no man equal to him in Love to you who will care for your State with such affection even as Nature teacheth Men to care for their Children as themselves 21. For all seek their own not the things which are Jesus Christs 21. For all are so much set on minding their own Matters and seeking their own Interest that it abateth their Zeal and Diligence in seeking the Interest and things of Christ Note 1. That selfishly to prefer their own Carnal Interest to Christs is a certain mark of a Graceless Hypocrite 2. Therefore Paul meaneth not that all are such predominantly but that all too much seek their own and Christs too little 3. But that this self-seeking is the Plague of the Clergy and Church culpably in all in various degrees and predominantly in False-hearted Hypocrites 22. But ye know the proof of him that as a son with the father he hath served with me in the gospel 22. But you know what experience you and I have had of him that with the love of a Son and the diligence of a Servant he hath assisted me in my Ministry of the Gospel 23. Him therefore I hope to send presently so soon as I shall see how it will go with me 23. Him I hope to send as soon as I know and can by him tell you how it will go with me 24. But I trust in the Lord that I also my self shall come shortly 24. And I trust that the Lords Mercy will deliver me and I shall shortly come my self 25. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and companion in labour and
the Tenders of Free Mercy and Salvation to Jews and Gentiles nor keep his Elect and Faithful Flock from that Heavenly Glory where Angels and Saints shall be One Blessed Society united in Love to God and each other 21. And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now hath he reconciled 21. And you who were not onely as all others originally guilty as the Seed of Adam but also of the Race and Society of Gentiles by your wicked Works estranged from God and out of the way of his saving Grace and Enemies to it and him yet now hath he reconciled by Christ and taken you for his Children 22. In the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight 22. By giving up his Body of Flesh to death as a Propitiatory Sacrifice and by justifying and sanctifying you to present you holy and blameless and justified at last before him 23. If ye continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister 23. I say you shall be thus perfected at last if you prove sound confirmed Christians continuing in the Faith grounded and setled and by no Temptation be ever turned from the Hope which Christ hath given you in his Gospel which by Christs Commission we preach to all Men in this lower World which is already happily begun the Church being no more confined to Jews but gathered out of all the Earth to which Work Christ hath Commissioned me who am labouring therein Note That how true soever it be that sound Believers shall be finally justified in Judgment and glorified the Promise giveth them Right to it but on Condition of Perseverance and God useth Conditional Promises to engage us rationally to our Duty and as a Means to accomplish his Absolute Decrees 24. Who now rejoyce in my sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his bodies sake which is the church 24. And I rejoyce that God honoureth me to suffer for his Church in so excellent a Work For it is by the Cross or Suffering that God will bring the Church to Glory And as Christ hath perfectly done his own part as the onely Propitiating Sacrifice so I with the rest of his Members must undergo and make up the rest even for the same Churches sake for which he died though not as a Mediator to reconcile God and Man as he was 25. Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you to fulfil the word of God 25. Of which Church I am made a Servant by Gods appointment and commission given me for you as well as for others that I may fully divulge the Word of God 26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his saints 26. The great Mystery of Redemption God manifested in the Flesh as the Head and Saviour of the Church which though not wholly yet comparatively hath been hid from Jews under dark Types as well as more from Gentiles by greater Darkness in all fore-going Ages But now is plainlier made known to Gods Saints 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory 27. To whom God of his good Pleasure would specially make known the Riches and Glory of this Mystery of Calling the whole World of Gentiles The Sum of it is Christ among you and in you purchasing giving and assuring to you the Heavenly Glory for which he hath commanded you joyfully to hope Christ the Way Glory the End 28. Whom we preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus 28. To preach this Christ is the Work of our Office warning and teaching every Man as we have opportunity neglecting none of any Rank in all the saving Wisdom of the Gospel that we may present as many as possible perfect to Salvation 29. Whereunto I also labour striving according to his working which worketh in me mightily 29. In this Labour I am employed in which with diligence I strive according to the Grace of him that called me which wrought in me or worketh by me in Power confirming my Ministry by Miracles and Success as well as qualifying me for it CHAP. II. 1. FOr I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you and for them at Laodicea and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh 1. Conflict by Prayer and Care and Study to do them good Note Good Men long for the Good of them whom they never saw 2. That their hearts might be comforted being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ 2. That they may grow up to a State of Joy by holy Union and Communion in Love and to be yet richer and happier in the full and assured understanding and acknowledgment of the Mystery of God's Love and of Christs Grace in the Promises Prefigurations and Performance of our Redemption 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge 3. Though it be not discerned by carnal Men who search more after other Knowledge in the World the depth excellency and benefit of all true Wisdom and Knowledge are comprised in the Knowledge of God manifested in Christ This is the true Philosophy in comparison of which all other is Vanity and Folly 4. And this I say lest any man should beguile you with enticing words 4. I tell you this lest any delude you by the specious ostentation of any other sort of Knowledge called Philosophy or Oracular or Enthusiastical or Pharisaical Tradition as if it were somewhat more excellent than the Knowledge of Christ 5. For though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit joying and beholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ 5. For though I see you not I am in the Spirit as if I was present with you affected with Joy to hear of your Order and stedfastness of Faith but yet I know where your danger lieth 6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him 6. Let it then be your care to hold fast and practise the Gospel of Christ as you have already received him and his Word and turn not to any other way 7. Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith as ye have been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving 7. As growing downwards in the Roots is necessary to Trees for stedfastness and
for us which thence he will bestow 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh 13. If these be by Divine Institution effectual against corporal Legal uncleanness by a ceremonial Sanctification the figure of the spiritual 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God 14. Most certainly then shall the Blood of Christ who by the Eternal Spirit offered himself Soul and Body a spotless Sacrifice to God the Soveraign Righteous Judge to cleanse Soul and Conscience from the power and guilt of dead works which signifie a death in sin and tend to death for sin to serve the Living God who will accept us to an Everlasting Life Note By the Eternal Spirit by which Christ offered himself some Expositors understand Christ's Immortal Soul voluntarily resigning his Life 2. Others understand the Holy Ghost the Third Person in the Trinity by whom Christ is said to be conceived and to do his Miracles 3. Others understand his own Divine Nature as the Second Person It 's hard to be sure which is meant but it is of no great moment seeing it is certain that indeed he did it by all these three There is a fourth Opinion of some that understand it of a prime superangelical Nature of Christ which they think by Eternal Emanation cometh from the Deity united to it which they make a middle Third Nature in Christ and in which they suppose it is that as a Creature he is advanced above all Angels because they take Angels and Men to to be specie distinct and that if Humane Nature must be set above Angels in it self it must thereby change its species and be no more humane But to be wise to sobriety in such Mysteries is safe and not to presume 15. And for this cause he is the mediatour of the new testament that by means of death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance 15. And for this cause Christ became Mediator between God and Man to procure seal and promulgate the New Covenant or Law of Grace that his death doing that which no other Sacrifice could do in expiation of the Jews sins committed under the Mosaical Covenant as well as of the rest of the World they which are by his call made sound Believers might by promise be secured of the Eternal Inheritance and possessed of it in due time 16. For where a testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the testatour 17. For a testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the testatour liveth 16 17. And Christ being by his Sponsion to be a Sacrifice his Donation doth presuppose his Purchase and thence his Covenant hath also the nature of a Testament which supposeth the death of the Testator and is not of efficacy till then to give full right to what he bequeatheth Note That the eminent Evangelical Kingdom of the Mediator in its last full Edition called the Kingdom of Christ and of Heaven distinct from the obscure state of Promise before Christ's Incarnation began at Christ's Resurrection Ascension and sending of the eminent Gift of the Holy Ghost and was but as an Embrio before 18. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without bloud 18. Therefore the first as figurative of the second was consecrated and sealed in blood 19. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law he took the bloud of calves and of goats with water and scarlet wool and hyssop and sprinkled both the Book and all the people 20. Saying This is the bloud of the Testament which God hath enjoyned unto you 21. Moreover he sprinkled with bloud both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry 22. And almost all things are by the law purged with bloud and without shedding of bloud is no remission 19 20 21 22. Note 1. God purposely instituted all these bloody Purifications to prefigure Christ 2. The Custom of sacrificing from the Fall must arise from Divine Institution and not without it from natural Invention as some now affirm And no doubt but it is propagated among all Idolaters through the World 1. By Tradition from Adam 2. Corrupted by Devils who would be worshipped as God and to that end promote the imitation of God 3. The Papists sprinkling of Holy Water is such another corrupt imitation setting up their Ceremony instead of Gods which Christ abolished 23. It was therefore necessary that the patterns in things in the heavens should be purified with these but the heavenly things themselves with better Sacrifices than these 23. These Ceremonies being ordained to prefigure and notifie things that are in Heaven and belong to Heaven it was meet that such blood should be the purifying Ceremony But the heavenly things themselves must be purchased and the Souls fitted for it purified and the Covenant consecrated by a more precious Sacrifice even the blood of the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the World 24. For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true but into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us 24. For it was not to officiate in a Tabernacle made by man that Christ became our High Priest but though his Sacrifice was offered on Earth it was to officiate by continued Intercession for us in the Heavens in the presence of God's Glory of which the other was but a Type 25. Nor yet that he should offer himself often as the high priest entreth into the holy place every year with blood of others 26. For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself 25 26. Note 1. Christ's once offering was sufficient It may oft be commemorated but only once done 2. It is unspeakable joy to Believers that Christ is for us as our High Priest entred into Heaven For he hath promised that we shall be with him where he is And where else now should we desire to be 3. The days of Christ here were the declining latter part of the World called the end as fifty or sixty years old is the end that is the latter part of man's Life How near then is it now to an end 1684 after 27 28. And as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the Judgment So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation 27 28. And as it is with the common state of
chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him 5. Consider how God himself confuteth your over-valuing rich men and vilifying the poor Is it not mostly of the poor that your Churches consist Is it not them that God hath chosen poor in the World but rich in Faith to be here made Heirs and hereafter Possessors of that Kingdom of Glory which he hath promised to them that truly love him 6 7. But ye have despised the poor Do not rich men oppress you and draw you before the judgment seats Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called 6 7. Yet you despise the poor whom God himself chuseth and honoureth And doth not your own experience and suffering condemn you Who is it but rich men that oppress you by tyranny and draw you like Malefactors before their Courts of Judicature Do they not blaspheme the name of Christ and reproach your Religion 8. If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self ye do well 8 I persuade you not to hate men for their riches but not to think that these allow you so partial a differencing If you obey God's great Command as the Scripture teacheth you to love all sorts of your neighbours as your selves according to the various degrees of their truest amiableness be they rich or poor you then do well 9. But if ye have respect to persons ye commit sin and are convinced of the law as transgressors 9. But if you thus inordinately respect men differently for their wealth not only the Gospel of Love but the Law of Moses convinceth you as sinners Exod. 23.3 Lev. 30.15 Deut. 1.16 17. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all 11. For he that said Do not commit adultery said also Do not kill Now if thou commit no adultery yet if thou kill thou art become a transgressor of the law 10 11. And that Law condemneth all that continue not in all things therein written to do them and we are bound by God's Law inforce to universal Obedience If you keep all other Commands and presumptuously break one you are contemners of the Law and so interpretatively break all 12. So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty 12. And though you are delivered from Moses's Law and the Covenant of Works remember that Christ is your King and Law-giver and you are not lawless therefore so speak and so do as they that are under his Law of Liberty and Grace and shall be judged by it by Justification or Condemnation 13. For he shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy and mercy rejoyceth against judgment 13. For though this be a Law of Mercy it will condemn the unmerciful without mercy It hath its conditions of life or death though none but what consist with Grace But the merciful shall find mercy at Judgment And God's mercy in Christ as the cause and their mercy to men for his sake as the condition will prevail against condemning Judgment 14. What doth it profit my brethren though a man say he hath faith and have not works can faith save him 14. Is not a meer wordy Profession an unprofitable thing to your selves as well as to others Will professing Christianity and saying you believe profit you to Salvation if you obey not Christ and live not according to the Gospel 15 16. If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food And one of you say unto them Depart in peace be you warmed and filled notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body what doth it profit 15 16. Will good words cloath the naked or feed the hungry Is it not like a mocking of them 17. Even so faith if it hath not works is dead being alone 17. Even so your notional knowledge and belief and the bare professiâ—n of Faith if it produce not the fruits of Obedience Love and Mercy is but an uneffectual dead thing in it self shewing a dead Soul and is dead as to your Justification and Salvation 18. Yea a man may say Thou hast faith and I have works shew me thy faith without thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my works 18. Any one may say to this man if thy Religion be sound it will have life and power and be known by its fruits Canst thou shew and justifie thy Religion or Belief without any good works or fruits as I can do mine by them 19. Thou believest that there is one God thou doest well the devils also believe and tremble 19. It is part of thy Religion to believe that there is One God This is well done it is a most fundamental Truth but it saveth not the Devils that believe it and tremble 20. But wilt thou know O vain man that faith without works is dead 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar 20 21. But art not thou a vain man that knowest not that Faith is but a dead Opinion uneffectual to justifie and save if it be uneffectual to Works Dost thou not discern how plainly the Scripture confuteth thee Was it not Doing in Faith or a Faith that caused working Obedience by which Abraham was justified who was the Father of the Faithful when he offered his Son Isaac and God said Gen. 22.16 Because thou hast done this thing and hast not withheld thy Son thy only Son in blessing I will bless thee c. 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect 22. You may see that his Faith made him obey God's Command and the obedient working of it did constitute it a sound effectual Faith without which it could not justifie him 23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God 23. And this is the true sense of the Scripture which saith Abraham believed c. that is he so far believed and trusted God as to offer up his Son and this trust working by such Obedience or this practical effectual trust was so accepted by God that though he was not perfect without sin God accounted him a righteous man that was meet for the free Salvation of his Grace and to be called The Friend of God 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only 24. You see then that by such necessary doing God's will which is the product of an effectual Faith and sheweth it to be lively and sincere and not a dead Opinion a man is accounted just by God accordâ—ng to the Covenant of Grace through Christ and not only by bare believing or not by believing only without
for ever 17. These are like Wells that have no Water having a barren Profession that will not save them Clouâ—s that seem to be for fruitful Rains but are only for tempestuous Whirlwinds or Hurricanes dark in themselves both now and for ever as well as troublesom and hurtful to others 18. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity they allure through the lust of the flesh through much wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in errour 18. For when they boast of their extraordinary knowledge of Angels and other unknown things as the Hereticks described by Ireneus Epiphanius c. then did and withal make fleshly licentiosness to be Christian Liberty their vain boasting words are but to serve their fleshly lust alluring by base lasciviousness some who were quite come off from Heathenish and Jewish Errours 19. While they promise them liberty they themselves are the servants of corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage 19. They tell the simple that flesh-pleasing and lust is part of their Christian Liberty and that we are ignorant that know not such things when under all these promises of Liberty they are the slaves of lust themselves being conquered by them and in bondage to them 20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them than the beginning 20. For if after they have been convinced of the Heathen abominations and filthy practices and have renounced them in Baptism and forsaken them and joyned in the Communion of Saints by the acknowledgment of Christ and the Christian Verity they shall again return to the practising of the same sins on pretence of Knowledge and Christian Liberty and so be overcome their end will be more sinful and miserable than was their Heathen state of ignorant pollution 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them 21. For their sin and misery had been less if they had never known the way of Righteousness revealed by the Gospel of Christ than after they have known it to forsake the owning or practice of the Commands of holy and righteous living which they received Note Sins against present or former knowledge in great instances have dangerous aggravations as coming from contempt of God or odious depravation of Judgment after 22. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire 22. But it is with them according to the Proverb The Dog c. Their Natures were not renewed by the Holy Ghost and made Holy or Divine they were Dogs though they had disgorg'd their vomit and Swine though they were washt No wonder then if temptation draw them to return to their vomit and to the mire of filthy sin again Note What sort of men these here described were is not agreed on by all Expositors But thus much seemeth clear 1. That they were professed Christians 2. That they lived in sensuality and fornication 3. That they taught that these were lawful and the use of them was Christian Liberty 4. That to make this good they joyned with some Sect-Masters that boasted of more knowledge than the Apostles and their followers had as most Hereticks do 5. That yet they did not wholly separate from the Christian Churches nor the Churches cast out them as they ought For they are said to feast with them to be spots and blemishes to them And Rev. 2. 3. shews that too many Churches had such among them and did tolerate them and that whole Societies were in danger of being corrupted by them and the Churches threatned to be punished for having such Members 6. Whatever name some put on them its plain they were those that are called Nicolaitans in Rev. 2. 3. Qu. What if Bishops Priests and People should become such debauched covetous Sensualists and also set against serious godliness and seek the reproach of it as Hypocrisie and Fanaticism and the silencing and excommunicating of the most godly Ministers and People and so become a Gnostick or Nicolaitan Church Ans Forsake their local Communion if you can have better and if you cannot do not approve or commit any of their sin nor own any uncapable of the Ministry by Heresie or open enmity to Godliness but either worship God only in private or protest against their sin when you joyn with them only in good CHAP. III. 1. THis second epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance 2. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour 1 2. This second Epistle with the former I write to you as to those that are pure from the evils which I describe but have need to be remembred of what you have learned from the Prophets and been commanded by us the Apostles of Christ 3. Knowing this first that there shall come in the last dayes scoffers walking after their own lusts 4. And saying Where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation 3 4. And I here first remember you that as you have been foretold in the last days before Christ's coming there shall arise unbelievers that shall make a mock at the promise of his coming and thereby harden themselves in a fleshly wicked life saying How long shall we stay ere we see Christ come What 's become of the promise of it which you so long awed men with It 's long since the Fathers who you say Believed in him were dead and none of them are risen again nor yet see Christ come the World continueth as it did from the Creation 5. For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water 6. Whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water perished 7. But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men 5 6 7. For it must be long of themselves if men professing Christian Knowledge do not know what a change was once made since the Creation that God's Word made the Heavens and the Earth and that this Earth being partly in the Water and partly out of it separated from Seas and Clouds by this Water the world of men that lived in the days of Noah were drowned But by the same Will and Word of
God the Heavens and the Earth that are now are kept from being drowned being reserved to another sort of ruine even by Fire when the time is come in which God will publickly judge and destroy ungodly men Note It is strange how any Expositor can think that this Text speaketh only of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Gnosticks when 1. It is resembled to the drowning of all the World 2. And it speaketh of the Heavens and the Earth that are now which are more than Jerusalem 3. And it referreth to the promise to Noah to drown the World no more 4. And saith it is reserved to Fire 5. And that at the day of Judgment and Perdition of the ungodly and not of the Jews only 8. But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day 8. But you must not ignorantly measure God's time by the measures of us men For one day is with the Eternal God as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day Time is soon gone with us but to Eternity it is as nothing 9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness but is long-suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 9. The delay is not because God is slack as to the performing of his Promises as slackness signifieth some culpable omission among men But it is because he is long-suffering to us men not delighting in or willing any mens destruction as such but that all should come to Repentance Note 1. God's will as totally distinct from all effects is only his Essence and is immutable and is not denominated his Willing This or That 2. But his Will which is but the Effects of his Essential Will is manifold and doth begin and end and change And 3. His Will as it is but the Relation of his Essential Will to these Effects and an extrinsick denomination from them is also manifold and mutable And it is in these two last senses that Peter saith that God is not willing that any should perish but all come to Repentance that is God hath provided a sufficient Sacrifice for their sin in Christ he reprieveth them from deserved damnation and patiently endureth them he offereth Pardon and Salvation to all that will accept it who hear his offer he giveth all the World undeserved mercy and obligeth them to repent in hope of more and bindeth all the World to certain duties as means of their Recovery and Salvation and useth none according to the meer terms of the Law of Innocency obey perfectly or die His daily mercies lead to Repentance and Hope He commandeth his Ministers to beseech them to be reconciled and saved He bringeth Life to their own wills and giveth them abundant reasons and motives to accept it c. 1. That he doth this de facto no Christian can deny 2. Therefore he is said to will their Repentance and Salvation 1. As these Effects of his Will are called his Will 2. Or as his Will is named only as related to these Effects Thus much well considered may end this Controversie 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up 10. But as men sleep not knowing when a Thief will come in the night so shall Christ's coming surprize men unexpected in which the Heavens so far as they belong to man and partake of any of the Curse for our sins shall pass away with a great and dreadful noise like a storm and the Elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat and all this Earth and all mens works thereon shall be consumed by this fire Note It is marvellous prepossession that could make any Learned man think that all these words signifie nothing but the destruction of Jerusaâ—em 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness 11. Note The true belief of the day of Christ's coming to Judgment and the dissolution of all this lower World by fire should convince all Christians that a holy conversation and godliness should be endeavoured with all possible care and diligence And those men that think they can be truly godly and holy over much do not believe seriously such a change and day 12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat 12. Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of this day of God when the lower Heavens and Earth shall thus be dissolved and the Elements melt with the fervent fiery heat The joyful day of our perfect Deliverance and Salvation 13. Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness 13. But we according to his Promise look that God should by these dissolving flames refine Heaven and Earth and having consumed with them all sin and the wicked hence should make as he formed this out of the Chaos a new Heaven and a new Earth an Habitation for righteous persons where sin shall prevail no more Note 1. He that maketh this new Heaven and Earth to succeed the destruction of Jerusalem surely forgot 1. That the Heathens for near three hundred years after persecuted the Christians far more bloodily than the few poor Jews did or could and that Church History saith very little of the Jews Persecution in comparison of the Heathens or of any Martyrs that died by them And sure if it was the time of the Ten Heathen Persecutions that was the new Heaven and Earth it 's strange 2. And if it were at three hundred years after Christ that the new Heavens and Earth come it seems far short of this here promised What was in the days of Constantine Martian and Theodosius they in Peter's days must never see But the day of Christ they were all to see 14. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 14. Note 1. It is not before death that Peter would have them look for this change whatever it was He lived not himself to see Jerusalem destroyed and he and Paul died by the Heathen Power though the Jews accused them and the Jews were more hated than they 2. Whether the new Heaven and Earth be as many of the old Fathers thought a restituâ—ion of all things to the state they were in before the fall for which the whole Creation groaneth and travelleth in pain to be delivered and that either for a thousand years or for perpetuity and who shall dwell in the new Earth and whether Heaven
or only such as Ebion Cerinthus and others that denyed somewhat of Christ's Being his Manhood or his Godhead or his real Suffering Or those that were for Moses's Law and held that Christ may be denyed with the Tongue in case of danger so that the heart deny him not pretending that God will have Mercy to our selves and not Sacrifice 24. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 24. Hold fast the Doctrine which at the first ye received from us and turn not after Novelties and this will preserve you against Seduction and continue you in the Faith Relation and Love of the Son and Father 25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us even eternal life 25. And if you live by â—aith upon his Promises he will give you Eternal Life which he hath promised whatever you suffer or forsake here in the way 26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you 26. It is the seducing Hereticks who occasion my writing these Warnings to you 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 27. But I hope I need no other Argument to confirm you in the Christian Faith against Seducers than that the Spirit of Christ which is his Witness Agent and Advocate hath through his Apostles Preaching and Imposition of Hands been given to you and among you His Miracles have sealed his Truth before your eyes and his illuminating and sanctifying Grace hath been given you if you be true Believers And I hope you will not deny the Holy Ghost As he is thus the Infallible Objective Evidence of Christ's Truth so is he in you an Efficient Illuminating Teacher and ready within you to plead Christ's Cause and teach you all necessary Truth Therefore you need not any man's Testimony and Teaching as those do that have no other but must take the Word of Man alone Use Christ's Ministers but in due Subordination to the Spirit and quench it not and he will keep you 28. And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming 28. Therefore Children waver not but fixedly abide in Christ and true Christianity that when he shal appear in Judgment we may see and meet him with joyful confidence and not with shame unto Condemnation as Apostates will Note 'T is wonder that he that expounds all this of Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem by the Romans his Enemies should think that all the Christians to whom the Apostles wrote should then meet Christ or be so much comforted therein when most were like to die first and few living to be much the better for it And Christian Compassion would fill them with Grief as Paul had Rom. 9. and 11. and not make them like men of utter malice to take it for so great joy to have the Jews so murdered when Christ wept over them that foretold it and when the Romans were far more to persecute the Church near three hundred Years And this Exposition leaveth all the Christian World since to this day little more use of the abundance of Motives and Comforts of the New Testament than of the fulfilled Prophecies of the Old Do not Christ's and the Apostles words nearly concern us Or should the Church be moved to Constancy Patience and Comfort chiefly sixteen hundred Years after because a Million of Jews were killed then 29. If ye know that he is righteous ye know that every one that doth righteousness is born of him 29. And as ye believe that Christs is just and a Lover of Righteousness so all that sincerely live a righteous Life towards God and Man are new born by his Sanctifying Spirit to his Image and shall surely be received and owned by him CHAP. III. 1. BEhold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not because it knew him not 1. Let us therefore instead of forsaking Christ admire the wondrous Love of God to us that hath in Christ adopted us to be his Sons Indeed our Dignity is unknown to the unbelieving World for they knew not Christ to be the Son of God and how then should they know us 2. Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 2. And it is no wonder if our Condition be unknown to the unbelieving World for though we are already the Sons of God and have Right by Promise to future Glory our future Glory is yet unseen and what we shall be doth not appear to the World or to our own sight But we know by faith that when Christ appeareth we that are his Members shall in our several measures be made like our glorified Head in the Perfection both of Soul and Body and place and state of Blessedness For he hath promised that we shall be with him and therefore shall see him as he is and therefore be made capable of such a sight and glorious Communion 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure 3. And knowing that without Holiness none can see God and that it is the Pure in heart that have the Promise of seeing him therefore all that have a true effectual Hope of seeing him will make it their chief care to purifie themselves that such Likeness to Christ may render them capable of such a blessed sight 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law for sin is the transgression of the law 5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin 4 5. For to sin is to transgress and break God's Law for that is the definition of Sin And ye know that Christ came in the Flesh to be a Sacrifice for Sin and to take it away and destroy it and never sinned himself and all this that he might vindicate God's Law and Holiness 6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him 6. So far as any man is in him and is taught and ruled by him so far is he freed from all sin and all his true Members are delivered from the predominant love and practice of all known sin and are willing to know all that they may avoid it And he that would not know it and when he doth know it doth not hate it more than love it and so far forsake it as to conquer
dwelleth in Love as his ruling habit of Soul and practice of Life dwelleth by communion in God as the Eye in the Light and a Friend by Love dwells in his Friend and God by his Spirit of Love in him Note I prefâ—r this Verse before all the Humane Learning in the World 17. Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgement because as he is so are we in this world 17. And our Love is for this blessed effect that we may joyfully now foresee and stand at last before him in Judgment as the Lord to whom by Love we are endeared and united For as his Interest is dearest to us in this World and we obey and follow him in suffering so it is that we may come to him in Glory with whom our Life is now hid 18. There is no fear in love but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment he that feareth is not made perfect in love 18. For though our darkness and guilt would keep us under terror lest God should destroy us or our weakness make us fear the power of man and bodily calamities and death yet the Love that I speak of hath none of this terrour in it but were it perfect it would fully quiet the Soul and cast out all distrustful painful fear For though cautelous preventing fear of all danger is necessary in this life to our safe avoiding evil and the awe and reverence of God is the duty of every creature yet tormenting or painful troubling fear cometh from distrust and sheweth that our Love is yet imperfect Note This is spoken both of tormenting fear of God and Man of Hell and of Death Sicknesses and Crosses here For he that by Faith is fully persuaded of God's great and special Love to him such as he hath manifested by Christ and thereupon doth love God entirely above all in that measure cannot fear that such a God will damn him or leave him to the malice of Men or Devils and by death it self do him any hurt inconsistent with dearest Love If Wives and Children fear not being murdered by loving Husbands or Fathers perfect Love would make us fully quiet in our trust in God Painful fear of Hell Death Sickness Poverty or Persecutors doth shew a distrust and doubting of God's Love who could sure quickly save us by such a word as made the World and an imperfection of our Love to him as caused by this distrust Fear may stand with true Faith and Love but not with perfect Only I confess sensitive passion through bodily disease or disposition quite differing from rational Fear is a Tyrant which Faith and Reason will not overcome As a man bound with Chains to the top of a Spire Steeple is rationally sure that he cannot fall and yet is terrified with looking down O how should fearful Christians study Trust and Love as their only cure and quieting help 19. We love him because he first loved us 19. And it is the knowledge of God's antecedent Love to us giving us a Christ and Grace and making us love him which thus delivereth the Soul from fear and turneth us to him with love and boldness If his Love had been a meer dependent consequent of ours how uncertain should we be of its continuance 20. If a man say I love God and hateth his brother he is a liar For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen how can he love God whom he hath not seen 20. But still I say our Love to God must be shewed in our hearty Love to our Brethren To hate and persecute them yea not effectually to love them proveth him a Lyar who saith he loveth God It is God in his Image that you must love and help He needeth you not but he will make you need one another to try your Love and Obedience to him If you love not his visible Image how can you love the invisible God This doth but detect your self-deceiving Hypocrisie 21. And this commandment have we from him that he who loveth God love his brother also 21. And he â—hat will be the Judge who love him truly hath made this his summary great Commandment that you must love God first and above all and your Brother or Neighbour for his sake as your selves And you love him not if you keep not his great Commandment CHAP. V. 1. WHosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him 1. Note That it is believing God and not Man only a Divine Faith and not a Humane a sincere Faith and not a doubting Opinion that is here called Believing Believing this on the word of our Rulers or Teachers is good but it is but preparatory to Religion and the Belief of God And it is a matter of such great importance to believe it sincerely as God's Word that God was manifest in flesh and appointed Christ to the Office and Work of Man's Sanctification and Salvation that it is not possible but such a sound Belief must fill the Soul with love to God and carry it up to a holy and heavenly state as the Regenerate are Nor is it possible but such should love that Saviour who is the Image of God's Love 2. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments 3. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous 2 3. And you must know that it is not all Love to one another or to good People that will prove us regenerate for men may love them as their Friends for loving them or for being of their Opinion Sect or party or for their Interest c. But your love to men as God's Children is sincere and saving when it is God himself that you love most and them for his sake And when his Love maketh you keep his Commandments And his Commandments are not heavy nor have any thing in them which men should be unwilling to keep but should be both our work and pleasure 4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith 4. God's Spirit is stronger than the evil Spirit that ruleth the ungodly World and therefore all that are truly regenerate do overcome the Love and Temptations of the World though not perfectly yet in prevalency And how do we overcome the World but by firm believing in Jesus Christ and the Love of God that will bring us to a far better World The things believed prevail against the things seen in all that are true Believers indeed 5. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God 5. Where do you see any truly overcome the Love of this World but they that believe that Jesus Christ hath purchased and promised and
and all men according to your works Note Judging is either Justifying or Condemning and Executing accordingly Our first Justification which maketh us Just and so Accounts us is not according to any works strictly so called unless you will call it a work believingly to Accept a free gift Nor is our Justification in Judgment according to the works of the Law of Innocency or of Moses or any that can be thought to make the Reward not of Grace but of Debt But it is according to our performing the Covenant of Christianity made by Christ the condition of Salvation 24. But unto you I say and to the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden 25. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come 24 25. Note Some Copies have And and some leave it out If it be you and the rest it must mean you Pastors and the faithful People And this would shew that it is not One but Many Pastors that is meant by the Angel But if And be left out then the sense is All you of the Church that are not polluted with this filthy Doctrine which the pretenders to Wisdom call Profound Knowledge but is indeed the Depths of Satan I will put on you no new Doctrine nor Burden but charge you to hold fast that Apostolick Doctrine which you have received and wait in fidelity for my coming who will reward you 26. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I have received of my Father 26 27. This Promise is diveâ—sly expounded 1. Some think that it is not the same persons then living to whom it is made but those that in Constantine's time are found persevering shall then be advanced by him to honour and power Others think that it is to the same persons and meaneth buâ— that they shall be made Bishops and convert many Heathens But all the Church could not be made Bishops and Bishops then were the greatest Sufferers and converting is not ruling and dashing them in pieces with an Iron Rod. The Phrase is fetcht from Psal 2. Others think that it is meant of the Heavenly power of faithful separated Souls and that after death the Saints joyn with Angels â—s invisible Rulers of this World And others think that it is meant of a thousand years Reign on Earâ—h before the last Judgment And others think it is meant of the state after Judgment and that the Damned shall be as Slaves to the glorified Saints It is certain that it signifieth a triumphant glorious state in Heaven but the â—est is dark to us I think it meaneth that they shall partake of Christ's Royal Power subserviently in their degree by which they shall now triumph over the World in faith and in time be delivered from men's Tyrannny and at Death initially and at Judgment fully shall with Christ judge the World of wicked Men and Angels which is here called Ruling them And it is not improbable that the miserable damned ones will be in some sort trod down by Christ and his Saints but how we yet know not By the Morning-Star seemeth meant Christ and his Spirit to shine on them in Glory 29. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 29. Let none take themselves to be unconcerned in Christ's Message to his Churches for it is recorded for our common use and nearly concerneth us all CHAP. III. 1. ANd unto the angel of the church in Sardis write These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars I know thy works that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead 1. To the Angel that is the Pastors and People of the Church in Sardis Thus saith he who is the Lord of Angels and Ministers Note Though the Spirits before were named before Christ it was not as preferring them before him for he is here said to have them as he hath the Pastors I know what thou art and dost and that thou art reputed by men to be an excellent Church but thou art declined to a cold and decayed state even like to death Note Profession and outward Splendor make Churches and persons applauded that wanting the life and power of the Religion they profess are next to dead 2. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die for I have not found thy works perfect before God 2. Be awakned from thy Self-flattery and Coldness and revive and exercise that Good which yet thou hast that it may be strengthned for I find much Hypocrisie and Formality in thee and not that Soundness Seriousâ—ess and Zeal which God will require 3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast and repent If therefore thou shalt not watch I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee 3. Remember what Doctrine my Apostles taught thee and hold fast that and receive no other Repent of thy Back-sliding for if thou do not awake and watch in holy Preparation I will come upon thee with my Judgments as a Thief cometh on men asleep when thou art most fearless and dost least expect me 4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy 4. Though the greater part of that Church be as dead in their declining some few there are yet in it who have kept their Innocency from Heresie Vice and Cowardly Shrinking and these shall have the honourable Reward of their Uprightness for they are worthy of it according to the Law of Grace which promiseth it to such alone Note Yet these few Names are not commanded to separate from the rest 5. He that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels 5. He that overcometh in this Life of Tryal shall be cloathed with the Glory which signifieth the Reward of Innocency and is the mark of Dignity and Honour for such then was White Raiment and I will own him openly before my Father and his Angels as one who is enrolled as a Denison of Heaven among the Elect of God Note If White Garments now be seemly for conquering Saints they are unmeet for them that are overcome by the World and the love of its Honour Wealth and Power and by fleshly Lusts 6. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches 7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write These things saith he
was the third part of men killed by the fire and by the smoke and by the brimstone which issued out of their mouths 18. Multitudes say some killed by the Romans and say most others the exceeding great numbers killed by the Mahometans Saracens and Tarks 19. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails for their tails were like unto serpents and had heads and with them they do hurt 19. They are both fierce and venemous and every way destructive Some expound mouth and tail of the front and the rear of their Armies 20. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands that they should not worship devils and idols of gold and silver and brass and stone and of wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk 21. Neither repented they of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their fornication nor of their thefts 20. 21. To take this for the Gnosticks and the Spiritual Idolatry of the Jews seems very unlikely The Mahometans say others made the destroying of Idols their chief profession and have not only rooted out image-worship from the Eastern Christians but turned since many great Kingdoms and Empires from Heathenism to Mahometanism But they repented not under those destructions CHAP. X. 1. ANd I saw another mighty Angel come down from Heaven clothed with a cloud and a rainbow was upon his head and his face was as it were the sun and his feet as pillars of fire 1. The circumstances describe the Glory of this Angel which some take for Christ and some for a proper Angel 2. And he had in his hand a little book open and he set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot on the earth 2. The plain sense is that he shewed the universality of his commissioned power sea and land comprehending the world below and that-the Book was the Decree of God committed to him to execute But the conjectured sense is manifold Some say it was Gods Decree to destroy Jerusalem and that Sea and Land was Galilee and Judea And others that it was Gods Decree to destroy the Roman heathen power and deliver his Servants And others that it was his Decree to destroy the Papacy and reform and deliver the Church And others that it was his Decree to destroy all oppressing powers and set up Christs thousand years reign in Righteousness And others that it was his Decree to end the World and come in judgment 3. And cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth and when he had cried seven thunders uttered their voices 3. His terrible Aspect and Cry was to prepare for a progressive Increase of the Plagues signified by seven Thunders which are louder than Trumpets 4. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices I was about to write and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered and write them not 4. Say some Because the Plagues are so grievous that on Jerusalem say some on the Empire say others on the Papacy say others they shall be known by experience and not by words Therefore write them not at all say some or not yet say others 5. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven 6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever who created heaven and the things that therein are and the earth and the things that therein are and the sea and the things that are therein that there should be time no longer 7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel when he shall begin to sound the mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets 5 6 7. He sware by God that there should be no longer delay that is say some of the Destruction of the Jews but till Adrian's time or as others of the Ruin of the Roman Empire or as others of the Churches Deliverance from Popery and Persecution or as others that there shall be no longer Duration of this World But that at the seventh Trumpet God's decreed Judgments shall be accomplished Or as Lira that the Arrian Heresie should no longer prosper 8. And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again and said Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth 9. And I went unto the angel and said unto him Give me the little book And he said unto me Take it and eat it up and it shall make thy belly bitter but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey 8 9. The Voice bid me take the Book c. And I asked the Angel for it who bid me eat it c. It shall be pleasant to thee to know what will be as News but bitter to know such heavy things or it will be sweet to thee to sore-know the Churches Deliverance but bitter to know the dreadful Judgments that effect it against the Jews say some the Roman Empire say others the Papal Church say others c. 10. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it up and it was in my mouth sweet as honey and as soon as I had eaten it my belly was bitter 10. The Mercy revealed in it was sweet but the dreadful Judgments of Bloodshed bitter 11. And he said unto me Thou must prophesie again before many peoples and nations and tongues and kings 11. Say some When Titus hath destroyed Jerusalem there is more for thee to prophesie of which many following Emperors and their Armies will do against them especially Adrian to finish their Destruction Or as others There are yet greater and more dreadful things to be told thee against many Nations and Kingdoms Or as others The Work of Prophesie or preaching the Gospel suppressed by the Pope and his Prelates shall be revived again and prosper before the end CHAP. XI 1. ANd there was given me a râ—ed like unto a rod and the angel stood saying Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that worship therein 1. Say some to measure the Temple and the Altar-places as reserved from Adrian's building an Idol-Temple which say they he did only in the Outer Court Say others Measure the Church which shall be reduced to a Conformity to the Word of God after all its Pollutions by Popery Or Measure it signifieth that the Church will be a small and measurable thing under the Papacy and even obscured but not forsaken of God 2. But the court which is without the temple leave out and measure it not for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy city shall they tread under foot fourty and two months 2. Say some the outer Court and the City was rebuilt by Adrian called Aelia so the Gentiles to live in and a Temple
another because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth 10. The enemies of the Church and the ungodly rabble shall triumph and rejoice together in their revenge and conquest of these Prophets and that in the revengeful sense of their own suffering by them whose preaching was a torment to them who by Godly Magistrates also had been punished or restrained from their sin Note 1. Oh how madly do the wicked rejoice for their victory against the men that would have saved them 2. One of the great causes of the violence of Silencers and Persecutors is the remembrance of their own sufferings by godly Magistrates and Ministers by Punishments and Reformation 11. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them and they stood upon their feet and great fear fell upon them which saw them 11. Either the same men or men of the same Spirit and Office were restored to the same Power and Works to the great wonder of good men and the great consternation of the bad 12. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them Come up hither And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies beheld them 12. The Voice of Christ say some of the chief Rulers say others Come up hither that is say some to Heaven as the reward of their former Service as Christ ascended in a cloud and as Moses was called away and buried by God and Elias carried up Moses not seeing what Joshua must see and Elias being only translated from a wicked Generation before Jehu executed God's Judgments on them so Magistrates and Ministers that do great things for the Church are usually taken up to Heaven before they see the desired issue which is left to their Successors Not David but Solomon must build the Temple Or as others come up into a state of greater prosperity and peace which is as a Heaven in comparison of their Persecution Or as most Protestants come now into the desired state of the visible Church reformed from Popery and Impiety Their advancement convâ—nced some and terrified others of their Adversaries 13. And the same hour was there a great earthquake and the tenth part of the City fell and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand and the remnant were affrighted and gave glory to the God of heaven 13. Say some Adrian rooted out those Jews that did not turn Christians and set up the Image of a Swine at the Gate to put them in despair upon which the rest turned Christians and glorified God Say others nine parts of Rome were destroyed before and under the Papacy only the tenth part of old Rome was left and that fell by this Earthquake Say others the first stirs by Preaching Disputing and War about Religion quickly cast down the tenth part of the Roman Church and then many others turned Protestants Some think it was the fall of old Heathen Rome and some think that the killing of the Witnesses by Papal Cruelty is yet to come and that Popery shall be restored a few years and then fall for ever It seems to relate to the case of Elijah and Eliâ—ha after whose time the House of Ahab dreadfully fell by Jehu 14. The second wo is past and behold the third wo cometh quickly 14. Note Thus far some think that the Revelation shewed John nothing but what was done many years before and visible to all men there that is that all was but the destruction of the Jews and that of these three last Woes the first was by the Zealots the second by Titus in which saith Josephus eleven hundred thousand persons were killed by Sword and Famine besides the Captives carried away The third by Adrian when the Faction of Barchochiba was cast out of Jerusalem and were pursued in which some say five hundred thousand were killed some say eight hundred thousand and some twelve hundred thousand Others say that all the Woes respected later times 15 And the seventh angel sounded and there were great voices in heaven saying The kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever 15. The foresaid new Expositors take this for the Triumph of the Church for the Jews destruction and the ceasing of their Persecution and the uniting of the Jew and Gentile Christians in one Church at Jerusalem where Adrian gave them that freedom by which they prospered Others think that this Verse speaketh of the Christian Emperours owning Christianity and putting down Heathenism Others think it speaks of the great Success of the Reformation against Popery Others think it speaks of Christ's thousand years Reign And others think it speaketh of the last Judgment I see not why we may not take it for the flourishing of the Gospel in the Catholick Church begun when Persecution abated but most notably promoted by Constantine 16. And the four and twenty elders which sat before God on their seats fell upon their faces and worshipped God 17. Saying We give thee thanks O Lord God almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned 18. And the nations were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets and to the saints and them that fear thy name small and great and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth 16 17 18. The twenty four Bishops of Judea say some Rather the Ministers of the Catholick Church represented by four and twenty Elders in the Vision or the whole Church say others And those in Heaven say others The Reign mentioned is variously expounded as aforesaid 1. As against the Jews 2. As against the Heathen Emperors 3. As against the Pope by the Reformation 4. As of the Fall of Mahometanism and the Turkish Empire 5. As of the Millenium and the Resurrection and Judgment that shall be then 6. As of the last Judgment 19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament and there were lightnings and voices and thundrings and an earth-quake and great hail 19. The Vision of the opened Temple in Heaven signifieth the Freedom given to the Gospel against Persecutors and Corrupters and the pure Preaching and Profession of it and God's owning his Covenant and Church by his eminent Blessing and the Lightnings c. signifie the great Manifestation of Christ's Power for his Church in the Commotions and Changes in the World and his Judgments on their Enemies as followeth But in what Instances and Periods of Time Expositors differ as aforesaid CHAP. XII 1. ANd there appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars 1. Some Popes and their Flatterers have said that by the
in their foreheads signifieth their open Profession of Fidelity to the Father and the Son and God's gracious noting them for his own And it helps us to expound what the mark of the Beast was even some open signal obliging Profession of Idol Worship 2. And I heard a voice from heaven as the voice of many waters and as the voice of a great thunder and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps 3. And they sung as it were a new song before the throne and before the four beasts and the elders and no man could learn that song but the hundred and fourty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth 2 3. The voice of many Waters signified the multituâ—â— of Converts that by the Gospel were gathered to this Church on Mount Sion who praised God with the 〈◊〉 of Harps or joyful Psalmody And it was new Psalms of Praise for Man's Redemption and the Grace of Christ which they sung as before God and the Cherubims and the holy Church which none of the Jews were fit to sing save the foresaid chosen saved number 4. These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins these are they which follow the Lamb whither soever he goeth these were redeemed from among men being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5. And in their mouth was found no guile for they are without fault before the throne of God 4 5. The Vision being of those in Heaven as the Precedents of the Christian Church at Jerusalem that should afterward succeed them they were the first-fruits of the Apostles Ministry described Act. 1. 2. 3. 4. who were eminent in Purity and Love free from Idolatry and Fornication as a People chosen out of the Jewish Nation unto Christ and as they were holy on Earth they are faultless and perfect now in Heaven 6. And I saw another angel flie in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people 6. Whether the midst of Heaven have the Mystical senses that divers give or be only sent from Heaven to Earth I know not Some say it is called the Everlasting Gospel because it was decreed from everlasting some because it dureth to everlasting or tendeth to life everlasting By the Gospel some understand only the glad tydings of the Fall of the Roman Empire some the Doctrine of Reformation and tydings of the Fall of Popery and some the common Doctrine of Salvation by Christ as it was now more freely and universally to be published to the Gentile World 7. Saying with a loud voice Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come and worship him that made heaven and earth and the sea and the fountains of waters 7. Away with your Idols that are no Gods and turn to and fear the true and living God who made Heaven and Earth For the time is come that he will judge and destroy Idolaters Other expositions I omit 8. And there followed another angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornification 8. Another part of my vision was another Angel c. implying a further revelation to me Whether it signifie also another sort of Preachers on Earth and who as some say the Albigenses and Waldenses or Luther Zuinglius or Illyricas and his century writers let them tell that know Babylon is here described and more fully after to be that great City that drew all nations unto Idolatry whether this were Rome as Heathen or Rome as Papal or Rome as containing both see my Advertisement 9. And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand 10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb 9 10. Those that partake of the sins of Idolatrous Babylon or Rome shall partake of her plagues and the Judgment that overthroweth her shall extend to all her companions in Idolatry and also the punishment in the life to come And Christ and his Angels will execute and behold it as just and good Some to save their charity say that damnation is not denounced to all that only have the Name of the beast or the Number but only to them that receive his Mark as his slaves and worship him and his Image But I think receiving his Name and its Number is included in receiving the Mark. But all my be pardoned to the penitent believers Whether this Angel be Luther Chemnitius Whittaker and such others I leave to the proof of the affirmers It s enough to me that this additional revelation and punishment is notified to John as by another Angel Though many think that only temporal punishment is here meant doubtless the same sin deserveth more 11. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever And they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name 11. Though temporal calamity be here included this seems plainly to mean Hell And the Mark of his Name is here made equal to His Mark verse 9. O the restless misery that is prepared for the impenitent 12. Here is the patience of the saints here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus 12. This misery of impenitent Idolaters and Enemies of Christ will shew the World how wise and happy the Saints were that by patient suffering did overcome and kept to the end the Commands of God and the Faith of Jesus Faith Obedience and Patience are all necessary to Salvation 13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me Write Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth yea saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours and their works do follow them 13. Though it be always happy to be at Rest with Christ the sufferings of those times will be so great as will make it seem a sesonable blessedness to go to that Rest where they shall no more labour or suffer but receive the fruit of their labours and work performed for Christ on Earth Some make this to be but a promise of after-freedom from Persecution here The Text proveth a Blessedness for separated Souls before the Resurrection For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 henceforth signifieth from this time forward The Socinians therefore abuse the Text that make the Blessedness to be but Resting in a state of death till the Resurrection For life with God's service and acceptance in a time of Persecution is a
neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away 4. If they be in the right who expound this of a Thousand Years freedom from Persecutions and all Sorrows on Earth in a New Jerusalem I am sure it will be a more joyful time when it shall be performed in the propersense of the words after the general resurrection And I see no probability that the promise of no more death and the rest that follow should be meant of any earthly state before that time The new Jerusalem and the new Heaven and Earth must be at once expected and that is when all these things are dissolved by fire at the judgment of the great day O desirable blessed day 5. And he that sat upon the throne said Behold I make all things new And he said unto me Write for these words are true and faithful 5. It is true that at Constantines delivering the Church there was as it were a New World And I am in hope yet that there may be such a Reformation and advancement of Piety and Unity before the last day as may be called a New World in a fuller sense But not up to this description of the New Jerusalem 6. And he said unto me It is done I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end I will give unto him that is a athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely 6. Say some I am he that hath thus delivered the Church from Idolaters and persecutors and now all that will shall have the blessed priviledges of the Church Rather I have prepared the Church for the state of Blessedness and I that an the principal efficient and ultimate end of all will give life everlasting in the new Jerusalem to every believing thirsty Soul 7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son 7. He that overcometh Temptation to the end shall as my son inherit full felicity in me who will be his God 8. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death 8. But those that being cowardly forsake me for fear of suffering and trust not me and those that live in filthiness and cruelty and unrighteousness and Idolatry and all false deceivers shall be damned 9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues and talked with me saying Come hither I will shew thee the bride the lambs wife 9. By the Bride is meant the new Jerusalem that is say some the delivered Church in Constantines time and after 2. Say others the reformed Church at the Fall of Popery 3. Say others a prosperous time before the thousand years 4. Say others the Jews conversion in great splendor at Jerusalem 5. Say others Christs visible reign with the martyrs and others raised from death a thousand years before the rest 6. Rather the new Heaven and Earth after the last judgment when the flaming sword and partition wall shall be taken down and God dwell with man 10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shewed me the great City the Holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God 10. Say some the Church as here advanced to purity and liberty by the heavenly power Rather the Souls that were with Christ coming with him to meet those that shall be then alive and changed advanced to that perfection in which they shall for ever be glorified with the Lord. Though some glympse of this may be in happy reformation concord and deliverance here before 11. Having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a jasper stone clear as crystall 11. It s Glory and strength was represented to me as made of Jasper clear as Crystall Gods own Glory shineing out 12. And had a wall great and high and had twelve gates and at the gates twelve angels and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel 12. John being a Jew and the Jews the first Christians who had commonly an expectation of Christs more special relation to them than to others and they being the first specimen of the Catholick Church the Revelation of the new Jerusalem and perhaps also of some antecedent happy state is represented as shaped to the Jews expectations and as typified by the old Jerusalem And its wall is its strength and safety and separation from others Its gates are for entrance and the guardian Angels numbered according to the twelve tribes as were the Apostles who yet founded all the Churches 13. On the east three gates on the north three gates on the south three gates and on the west three gates 13. Note Not that this must be thought the shape of it but that its glory was represented by such a shape 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 14. As the Church on earth is founded by the doctrine and witness of the twelve Apostles so is the new Jerusalem described as related to them it being but the Church militant perfected and made triumphant 15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city and the gates thereof and the wall thereof 16. And the city lieth four-square and the length is as large as the breadth and he measured the city with the reed twelve thousand furlongs the length and the breadth and the height of it are equall 15 16. By this representation like that in Ezekiel the firmness and perfection and greatness of the new Jerusalem was signified 17. And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and forty and four cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the angel 17. The Angel appearing as a man his measure is taken as a common humane measure 18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper and the city was pure gold like unto clear glass 19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones The first foundation was jasper the second saphire the third a chalcedony the fourth an emerald 20. The fifth sardonix the sixth sardius the seventh chrysolite the eighth beryl the ninth a topaz the tenth a chrysophrasus the eleventh a jacinth the twelfth an amethyst 18 19 20. That the new Jerusalem is represented by these precious stones as firm precious lucid and glorious and by the number of twelve as suited to the twelve Apostles and so in them to the twelve Tribes of Israel as typical of the new Jerusalem is all that I understand of this what each precious stone distinctly signifieth you may read in them that know or